Major building work at former Barclays bank approved

Plans for major building work at the former Barclays Bank have been given the go ahead.
Pic by Steve Robards — Plans for major building work at the former Barclays Bank have been given the go ahead. Pic by Steve Robards

The Cowdray Estate’s application asks for the removal of existing external signage; removal of external ATM, re‐instate existing window; replacement of 11 windows at the front of the building and the removal of internal counters and furniture.

Work has already been done to remove the ATM at the site and replace it with an existing window.

The idea was to return the building to pre‐Barclays occupation as much as it is possible, preserving the Grade II listed status of the building.

A South Downs National Park Authority spokesperson said: "This work does not appear to have impacted the historic fabric of the building and is acceptable. Whilst the installation of the new window appears sympathetic to the historic building, no details as the existing or proposed windows have been provided.

"Contact was made with the agent who advised that they were not replacing all of the windows now and they do not propose any further work to the building.”

The bank closed in July 2021, and a Barclays spokesperson said at the time: “Customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.

"This is reflected at the Midhurst branch where there has been a 33 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020.”