KEIGHLEY'S mayor has spoken of his determination to work with partners on rejuvenating the town centre.

Councillor John Kirby was speaking in the wake of the announcement by Barclays that its Keighley branch will close in August.

Barclays is the latest of several banks to shut their Keighley premises in recent years.

Virgin Money, formerly Yorkshire Bank, vacated its North Street building in early 2022.

And nearby Lloyds Bank shut its doors in November, although the group currently has a community banker based at Keighley Library every Tuesday.

Several other premises in the same area of the town remain empty after businesses moved out.

Cllr Kirby says: "It is always disappointing to see businesses close and like many towns across the country, Keighley isn’t immune from changes in how people shop.

"However, we are determined to work with partners such as Bradford Council and the newly reconstituted Keighley Business Improvement District to improve our town centre and perhaps most importantly, the perception of our town centre.

"It isn’t going to be easy, but with £20 million in funding over the next ten years available to Keighley via the Long Term Towns Plan we have a real opportunity to make the lasting changes required to give our town centre the boost it needs."

Barclays' decision to close its Keighley branch, on August 9, has been condemned by the town's MP.

Robbie Moore says many people, including the most vulnerable, still rely on in-branch services.

Barclays said changes to the way people bank, with most customers now using online services, had led to its decision.

But the company added that it plans to open a Barclays Local facility in the town, where customers could access a range of support including with digital banking, financial reviews, balance checks, transfers and bill payments.

Mr Moore says: "I am strongly opposed to this closure, and it is concerning to see yet another local bank closing its doors to customers. Shutting down this service will disproportionately impact those who cannot access online banking or who rely solely on in-person banking services, which includes many of the most vulnerable residents across our area.

"Barclays says it will be maintaining a physical presence in Keighley through a new 'local site', however I'm not yet convinced that these measures are sufficient.

"It is crucial that Barclays properly addresses the needs of its vulnerable customers who depend on physical branches."