Barclays reverses course: three UK branches to reopen as bank reconsiders its footprint

# What happened Barclays has announced plans to open three bank branches in England this year. The locations named are Bishop's Stortford and Poole (opening later this month) and Beverley (opening in November). Barclays previously closed branches in those towns in 2024.

# Why this matters Banks have been closing branches for years as customers use digital and mobile banking more. Consumer group Which? reports 6,871 branch closures across banks and building societies since January 2015. Barclays itself closed about 80% of its branches since 2019 and was identified by Which? as the bank that closed the most branches.

These three openings are notable because they make Barclays the first major bank in about a decade to open new branches. The move signals a tactical reversal — not a full-scale rebuild of the high-street network, but a selective reopening where Barclays believes it can "make a meaningful difference for customers," according to a bank spokesman.

# What Barclays says it will offer

Vim Maru, chief executive of Barclays UK, said the bank is "back on the high street, in the communities," and highlighted that this is the first large bank to open a branch in about a decade.

# How Barclays reached the decision Barclays says the choice of Bishop's Stortford, Poole and Beverley came after analysing "many points of data and insight." A spokeswoman added that the bank keeps its physical footprint under review, adapting it "in line with changing customer behaviour and balancing in-person services with growing demand for digital banking."

The spokesman told This is Money the bank would "continue to consider opportunities to open further branches in locations where we believe they could make a meaningful difference for customers," but said there are no further timings or locations to announce yet.

# Where this sits among other banks Nationwide Building Society has taken a different approach. Its chief executive, Debbie Crosbie, told This is Money earlier in the year that Nationwide may open more branches in areas with clear customer need. Nationwide extended a pledge to keep its entire branch network open until at least 2030 and said any new branch would need sustainable, long-term demand.

Barclays currently reports it has more than 200 full-service branches in major towns and cities across the UK.

# The broader context Which? counts that branch closures have averaged roughly 53 a month since January 2015, reducing branch numbers by about 69%. Banks usually cite rising digital banking use as the reason for fewer physical branches. Barclays has been among the most active in cutting its network, closing 1,236 branches overall since 2015, the largest reduction according to Which?.

# Practical implications for customers If you live in Bishop's Stortford, Poole or Beverley you should see a local Barclays reopening this year offering in-person financial help plus modern self-service options. For customers elsewhere, Barclays says it will keep reviewing demand and may open more branches, but there are no further public plans right now.

# Bottom line This is a selective reopening rather than a wholesale restoration of the branch network. Barclays frames the initiative as targeted investment where data shows a clear need, pairing digital services with in-branch financial support.