A NEW pop-up bank has opened for four days a week within a church on Canvey, following a string of closures.

Barclays has announced it has launched a new site on Canvey within the St Nicholas Church.

Bosses say it is designed to provide easy access for customers with digital and complex banking needs.

Staff will be on hand from Tuesday to Friday offering face to face financial support and education for customers, without the need to travel.

This news comes after Barclays closed their branch in Canvey High Street on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Ian Lovelock, Barclays deputy customer care director said: “We are delighted to launch the new Barclays Local on Canvey. 

“This new service represents our commitment to customers and the local community who wish to continue to have in-person support by offering the ability to visit Barclays locally, albeit in a different environment.”

The first banking hub in Essex opened in Rochford in a bid to give residents face-to-face banking after a number of branch closures back in 2021.

The new pop-up location on Canvey will be open from 9am until 12:30pm and 1pm until 3:30pm, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Customers will be able to access a wide range of services, including assistance with finances and money management. There will also be the offer of free digital skills workshops and fraud and scams awareness events for the community.

However, it will be a cashless site, so everyday banking transactions will need to be completed at the local Post Office.

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, said she is delighted with the new service.

She added: “While I was disappointed that they were closing their branch in Canvey High Street, I am very glad that they listened and acted on my suggestions for an alternative location that would enable their customers to see Barclays staff face-to-face.

“Not every customer is able or wants to access internet banking. I am also very grateful to St Nicholas for acting so fast to get this set up.”

Barclays say they are committed to deploying a range of more flexible ways that customers can physically interact with the bank, which includes more 250 banking sites located in town centres across the country.