BARCLAYS bank has been granted approval to strip its Grade II listed former Stourbridge branch having closed its doors to customers for the final time just before Christmas.

The bank submitted an application to Dudley Council planners for listed building consent to carry out internal and external works to its former High Street branch, which closed its doors for good on December 15.

The works will include replacing windows with new glazing and painted timber panelling, removing signs, the night safe, ADT alarm box, ATMs and associated lights, CCTV cameras and sealing the existing letter box internally.

Internal cashier counters, glazed partitions and fittings associated with the bank are also set to removed from the historic red brick three-storey building. along with the accessible entrance and branch name plate.

Barclays said the works form part of the standard decommissioning process following closure of a branch and stressed that facilities to help customers with their banking will remain available in the town.

A spokesperson for the bank said: “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.”

She confirmed that a Barclays Local site, where customers can meet bank with staff face-to-face for banking support, has opened in Stourbridge Library, in the Crown Centre.

The cashless site, which is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm then 1pm to 4.30pm - five days a week, offers services such as financial reviews, balance requests, support with digital banking and customers can also open new accounts.

The bank said it could not comment on the future use of the landmark High Street building as the premises were leased.

Approving the works to the listed building, Carl Mellor, Dudley Council’s head of planning, said they would “sustain and enhance the significance of the designated heritage asset and puts it into a viable use consistent with its conservation”.