Matt O’Neill, Executive Director for Growth and Sustainability, said: “We would of course like to see Barclays’ branch remain open. However, we understand that the way people are engaging with their banks is and has been changing for a long time. Consumer behaviour is moving to online channels across every demographic. This change has been accelerated as a result of Covid.

“We recognise the way people use town centres and local high streets is changing across the country. As a council, we’re responding positively to this. In both Barnsley Town Centre and our Principal Towns and Local Centres, we’re investing. This is to help provide more reasons for people to spend their time on the high street. That’s about much more than shops and services. It’s also about leisure, hospitality, entertainment, culture, and high-quality public spaces for people to spend time with friends and family.

“We've already invested £5m into our six Principal Towns and ten Local Centres to help them thrive. We have plans to invest another £30m into our local high streets across the borough. We’re also working to attract even more from other funding bodies.

“The work to improve Hoyland Town Square was part of this work. We remain committed to supporting Hoyland’s high street and local economy to thrive. We’ve been holding more activities and events such as free face painting and balloon modelling, a youth market, and live music. Footfall figures show visits have increased since we did the town square work and began the events programme.

“We're working on plans for a second phase of improvements right now. We'll explore how banking facilities can be re-introduced back into the town. We’ll be sharing our plans with the local community in due course to invite local feedback.”

You can read more about the programme at barnsley.gov.uk/PrincipalTowns