BARCLAYS has announced it will close its branch in Rhyl this year, due to “the ongoing change in behaviour” in the way people bank.

In a letter to Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, the banking giant confirmed the Rhyl branch, at 68-70 High Street, will close on Friday, August 9.

The bank says the reason for the closure is due to “the ongoing change in behaviour” in the way people bank, where they have seen “a sustained fall in customer transactions across our network”. 

Dr Davies, who helped secure a Banking Hub in Prestatyn last year after the town lost all its banks, is disappointed that bank closures are now affecting Rhyl.

He said: “In recent years we have seen bank closure after bank closure in the Vale of Clwyd.

“Throughout this time, it has been reassuring to residents in Rhyl that there seemed to be no threat to the banks in the town, as a regional centre.

“I know residents in Prestatyn and Denbigh have also been relieved that they have been able to travel a few miles into Rhyl if they have required in-person assistance with their banking.

“It is therefore extremely concerning that Rhyl is now set to lose the first of its major banks. It seems to me that it will leave Barclays’ closest branch as Llandudno.”

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Rhyl East Cllr Justine Evans, who has been a customer of the bank for more than 30 years and uses the Rhyl branch, said: “I was saddened to hear about the closure of Barclays in Rhyl which has been a prominent feature in the town for a great many years.

“All the staff at the branch have always been extremely helpful and my thoughts are with them at this time.

“Rhyl has lost many shops and cafes over the years and sadly there are already too many empty buildings in the town centre.

“The closure of Barclays in August will be another blow to the High Street. I really hope that other banks in the town don’t follow suit!”

Barclays have said that they will “have an active presence in the community via new and alternative physical presence” and that they “plan to provide additional face-to-face access for banking services via one of our community locations – from the point of closure”.

Further details, including the timings and the location of the Barclays Local site, will be communicated to their regular customers in the coming weeks.