Residents in County Durham have reacted angrily after it was announced that their local banking branch would be closing later this year. 

Users of Barclays Bank on Market Place in Durham City have been left devastated after the bank giant revealed earlier this week that it would be closing in December this year. 

On December 8, Durham's Barclays branch will shut its doors for good - leaving some people having to travel to Bishop Auckland or Darlington to do their banking. 

Read more: Barclays to close Redcar branch in November 2023

Despite Barclays maintaining that it has closed, due to only 87 people regularly using it and 92 per cent of customers using phone and app banking, numerous people have taken to social media to protest the closure. 

Posting on social media, one user said: "What about Barclays closing in Durham City - it's madness. They tell me to use bishop Auckland or Team Valley," while another added: "The way it is heading, a cashless society, everything online? More chances for scammers."

Instead of running its usual branch beyond December, Barclays is planning to open a 'banking hub', which means people will still be able to query baking issues, but won't be able to access cash withdrawals.

Details of this banking hub will be confirmed soon and added to the Barclays website.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking.

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"This is reflected at the Durham branch, and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support.”

“In Durham, we plan to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel.

"We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”

This announcement from Barclays comes after it confirmed it would be closing branches in Redcar, while Barclays branches in Stanhope, Consett and Stanley have closed in recent years, among others.