Barclays to reopen three UK high-street branches as it reverses closure trend

Barclays will add three high-street branches in England - Bishop's Stortford and Poole this month and Beverley in November - reversing a years-long closure strategy. The decision follows internal analysis of customer needs and aligns with the bank’s rollout of modern premier banking suites. Barclays UK chief executive Vim Maru highlighted the move as a return to towns and cities after a decade without new openings.

The bank noted it still operates over 200 full-service branches nationwide and will continue to assess further sites where it can make a meaningful difference. The openings come as rival Nationwide Building Society pledges to keep its entire network open through 2030, citing sustained demand for in-person services. Consumer group Which? reports that Barclays has closed the most branches among major banks since 2015.