A BANK branch due to close this month is now relocating to the library following resident feedback.

Barclays bank branch in Corringham town centre was due to close its doors at the end of the month.

However, following talks with Thurrock Council and taking on feedback from residents, the branch will now relocate from the Corringham library.

It will now operate a cashless site in the library on Mondays and Tuesday from 10am to 4:30pm, beginning on Monday, September 26.

Qaisar Abbas, councillor responsible for communities and equalities at Thurrock Council, said: "This is a fantastic example of listening to feedback from local people and working closely with businesses, to see how we can best meet the needs of our residents whilst generating income.

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“The feedback, which was shared with local area coordinators and community builders, made it clear that people in the area still wish to use these services.

“Our teams got to work seeing where and how, in collaboration with Barclays, we could offer a level of service for people in the area, resulting in the bank now operating from our cherished library two days a week.

“This means our residents can continue to access face to face support for their banking needs, such as paying bills electronically and transferring payments, with an opportunity to explore the wide range of books and activities in our library.”

Barclays have already closed a number of other branches in south Essex.

The Billericay high street branch closed its doors on Wednesday, August 24 and the Leigh Broadway branch closed its door on Friday, September 9.

Barclays is just one among many big bank firms closing branches across the country as bosses claims they have seen a dramatic fall in a number of customers coming into branches.

A spokesperson for Barclays added: “Although Barclays Corringham branch is closing, we will retain an active presence in the community with the opening of our new Barclays Local in Corringham Library on Monday’s and Tuesday’s 10.00am - 4.30pm offering face to face financial support and education for customers, without the need for them to travel.
“Customers visiting us at the Corringham Library will be able to access a wide range of services including financial reviews, balance requests, change of address, opening of savings and ISA accounts and have support with digital banking.  

"As the local service is a cashless site, everyday banking transactions including cash deposits and withdrawals, however, will need to be completed at a local Post Office.”