Barclays plans for 'banking pod' at Cables Retail Park, Prescot

A planning application seeking temporary permission for three years for a Barclays 'Pavo banking pod' on the car park at the site has been sent in to Knowsley Council.

A planning statement in the application, drawn up by agents JLL says: "The proposed development is to situate a purpose-built, temporary 9.8sqm Pavo Pod which will provide in-person banking and financial support to local community".

The proposed opening hours of the pod are 10am-6pm on Mondays, and also from Wednesdays to Saturdays, with the pod closed on Tuesdays and Sundays. 

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The statement adds: "Currently there is no existing Barclays presence within Prescot and due to declining customer branch usage, alongside the increase in customers using digital channels to bank, there has been a change in customer needs.

"The nearest Barclays branch is approximately 6.2km from the site, however the proposed pod, also known as ‘Barclays Local’, is a response to these changing needs and act as a way of providing in-person and maintaining a community service without the need of a permanent branch."

Barclays closed a raft of branches across the country in 2023, including one in St Helens town centre, with more to be shutting their doors in 2024.

The proposed location of the pod at the car park (Image: Knowsley Council Planning Portal)

It adds: "The services provided in-branch by the Barclays Local colleagues will provide face-to-face assistance, helping customers with their everyday finances and money management needs, as well as free digital workshops and fraud and scam awareness events to benefit the local community.

"It should be noted that the pod will not involve any cash transactions and will not incorporate any other types of cash services such as ATM’s or the ability to pay in money.

"The pod will only be used for banking advice and support and no cash will be present on site at any time."

Cables Retail Park, in Prescot (Image: Google Street View)

The statement concludes: "The design is sympathetic to the existing retail park and will take up six existing car parking spaces, therefore it is unlikely to impact the parking facilities".

Plans add it is proposed there would be two full-time employees at the pod.

A decision on the plans is expected by Knowsley Council planners by March 12.