A BANK has announced a new pop-up service in a library in a bid to prevent residents who are “unfamiliar with technology” from being neglected.

Barclays has announced it will now operate a service four days a week from Rayleigh Library, in the High Street, following a series of branch closures in the area.

Experts will be on hand to offer face-to-face support for customers and offer “convenient banking solutions” to support residents who are “less familiar or comfortable” with online banking.

The Rayleigh branch of Barclays closed on Friday, and the “Barclays Local” scheme forms part of the bank’s commitment to provide “adaptable and sustainable banking services”.

Councillor Mark Durham, cabinet member for the arts, heritage and culture at Essex County Council, said: “While modern online banking is amazing, we must not neglect those who are less familiar with the technology required to access it.

“I am therefore pleased Barclays has decided to open a Barclays Local at Rayleigh Library for Essex residents.

“It will help ensure anyone can access crucial financial support and manage their money.”

Services available include help with digital banking, financial reviews, and transactions like balance checks, transfers and bill payments.

However, as this is a cashless site, customers will need to complete daily banking transactions at the Post Office.

The service will be open every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm, and is aiming to provide a more convenient banking solution for customers.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: “We’re pleased to open a Barclays Local here in Rayleigh, working with the Library to offer a new, more flexible way for our colleagues to continue to support customers with their banking needs.”

There are over 350 similar units spread around the country in locations such as community centres and town halls.

In addition to this, customers in remote areas are also catered for by a collection of Barclays vans.