A couple has warned that it could be  “the beginning of the end” for banking in Blackburn after having to travel to another town in order to deposit funds.

Phil and Karen Boulding, owners of the Secret Santa charity in Blackburn, say they had to travel to Burnley last week after being turned away from their local Barclay’s branch, in Blackburn.

The site is set to close on Friday, May 10. When Karen visited on Thursday, May 2, Karen was told that the branch was no longer accepting cash due to its impending closure.

She was directed to a Post Office where she could deposit cash but was told that it would accept the notes but not the change.

Karen then had to go to the nearest Barclays banking site in Burnley, which is 14 miles away.

A spokesperson for Barclays said it plans to open a cashless banking site, where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, in the future.

Phil said this could be “the beginning of the end” for banking hubs in Blackburn, adding that it is a “huge inconvenience” that the Blackburn hub is closing.

He said: “It's a huge inconvenience and annoyance. Banks have forgotten about customer service.

"They seem to have forgotten they are there because of their customers.”

Phil, who deposits money into his bank account monthly, said he will have to find an alternative banking location that accepts notes and change.

He is urging the banks to “pull themselves together”.

He said: “Pressure needs to be applied directly upon the banking industry at a national level.

“Banks - pull yourselves together, get your act sorted out and deliver the service that the people want and remember.

"If people leave you in droves, you [could] no longer enjoy any profit.”

A spokesperson for Barclays said its Darwen Street branch is closing on Friday from 12pm.

A statement was released stating that only a small number of people use the branch.

Barclays plans to open a Barclays Local in Blackburn, a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support. 

Barclays said it is currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.

Customers have a wide range of options to complete their banking including their local banking site, Barclays app, telephone banking, online banking and video banking.

A spokesperson said everyday transactions, including coin deposits, can be completed at any Post Office with the closest located in Railway Road, Blackburn.

To pay in cash at the Post Office, coins need to be bagged in round amounts for them to be accepted.