Plans for former Barclays bank building in Whickham could help create two new businesses
Over a year after it closed its doors for the last time an ex-Whickham bank could soon host two new businesses.
by Austen Shakespeare · ChronicleLivePlans have been submitted to convert a former bank in Whickham into new shops.
Gateshead Council has received an application to change a former Barclays Bank, on Whickham Front Street, into two separate retail units. The plans come over a year after the branch closed in September 2022, whereupon customers were redirected to branches in Newcastle or Team Valley.
The 213 sqm now-vacant building, pending approval from the local authority, could be given a new lease of life. According to documents submitted by the applicant, “the proposal involves the renovation of the existing Barclays Bank, whereby the unit will be split into two commercial units and new shop fronts supplied to each of the units.”
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Whickham South and Sunniside councillor Jonathan Wallace said: “There are a number of empty shops in Whickham Front Street and the sooner they are occupied the better. Whichever businesses are hoping to move into the former Barclays we wish them the best of luck”.
The closure of Barclays in Whickham formed a small part of over 140 nationwide closures last year from the high street giant. Lloyds also shut down a branch in Whickham High Street permanently in September 2022.
Reasons behind the closure, according to Barclays, included the fact that only 153 customers used the Front Street branch exclusively for their banking. In addition, by 2022 85% of customers used alternative banking methods including via telephone or online.
The percentage of Barclays customers using online banking as a first port of call has increased 10% year-on-year since 2015. In addition, 32% of the Whickham branch’s customers were already using nearby branches.
A date for a council decision has not been set at the time of writing.
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