The Barclays branch in Oldham is officially bidding farewell to the town as the company prepares to move out of the Grade II listed building.

The international bank on High Street announced the closure of its doors on May 24 earlier this year.

In a reasons for closure report, Barclays said in-person visits dwindled compared to when it first opened, due to most customers doing their banking online, via app or on the phone.

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According to the report, 94 per cent of people who used the Oldham branch also banked using the app, online and by phone in 2022 and only 141 customers were regularly using the branch as the only way of doing their banking.

An application was then submitted in May to begin the decommissioning process, which was approved this week.

The building itself received Grade II listed status in 1993 and a heritage statement on the works outlines minimal external and internal works will be carried out to protect it.

The statement adds: "All existing original features will not be affected by the proposed works.

"The proposed works are intended to return the building to pre-Barclays occupation as much as it is possible preserving the listed building status."

This includes removing the bank's external signage and ATM machine, alongside Barclays signage on a letterbox.

The window's glazing will also be replaced with new. and a night safe's face plate will be removed and filled with stonework to match the existing building.

The redundant letterbox will then be sealed internally.

Meanwhile, the internal counters and all the furniture will be removed and some modern glazing partitions and doors on the ground floor will be taken out.

The application added: "All works are intended to involve the minimum intervention and to be reversible in the future, allowing the building to evolve and maintain the possibility of new uses or layouts within the context of its listed status." 

Oldham Council planning officers agreed the alterations would not have any impact on the appearance of the building, given their "small scale", and that the internal changes "would not harm the architectural integrity or any historic fabric of the building".

As a result, the council approved the plans as of September 3.

How to bank with Barclays Oldham

In a 'branch closure feedback' report published in April, Barclays said it contacted Debbie Abrahams MP, councillors Aftab Hussain, Ali Aqueel Salamat and Arroj Shah, as well as customers of the branch and community groups such as Age UK Oldham, Chadderton WI, Citizens Advice, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manchester District Retired Staff Club.

Barclays said it understands the "concerns" about the closure but said it would still be operating in the community at Positive Steps on Union Street.

The nearest branches for Barclays customers from Oldham to visit are on Mosley Street and Market Street in Manchester city centre, though Barclays recognised this might not be convenient for people to travel to.

As well as online 'digital eagles', the bank also said customers can bank at the Post Office in Oldham.

The report added: "We’ll be here for you – just in a different way.

"We’ll stay in your community and you’ll be able to talk to us in person.

"We’ll be available to help you with things like day-to-day banking queries and helping you manage your money."

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk