New Barclays banking pod at Morrisons supermarket in Southport wins approval

Proposals for a new ‘banking pod’ in the car park of Morrisons supermarket in Southport have won backing from Sefton Council. 

The pod will be operated by Barclays Bank and will be ‘a conversation space’ where people can seek advice on their finances. No cash services would be available. 

In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie wrote: “The proposed pod would be located adjacent to an existing polytunnel-like structure in the car park to the front of the store entrance. 

“As a structure it is relatively small and appropriately scaled for this location. 

“The pod would provide users with access to banking services however it would be cashless and not allow for cash deposits or withdrawals. 

“The applicant has described it as a ‘conversation space’ where users can get to engage with banking services at a convenient location in that customers using the store can also gain access to certain banking services while out shopping. 

“The potential redistribution of existing patronage is unlikely to result in additional pressures on the highway network or significantly affect parking arrangements at the store.

A Barclays Pod

“The site is located within Southport Town Centre, although outside the Primary Shopping Area. It is however small in its scale and can be viewed as an ancillary facility to the existing supermarket. Subject to appropriate conditions that restrict its use to financial services and the removal of the pod on the cessation of the buildings use, the proposed development would not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of businesses within the Primary Shopping Area or the wider town centre as a whole and is acceptable in this location.”

The Barclays Pod is a new standalone physical banking format which allows Barclays to be present in more accessible locations for its customers. 

The closest existing Barclays Bank is at 265-267 Lord Street in Southport town centre. 

The Pod at Morrisons supermarket, at Winter Gardens behind Lord Street in Southport, would be hosted by local branch staff members to provide face-to-face financial support to shoppers and passers-by. 

Services might include checking balances, making transfers, setting up online banking, or opening a new bank account. 

Customers would either be able to walk in, or could go online to book an appointment in advance. 

The Pod would however be cashless, meaning customers wouldn’t be able to pay in cash deposits or make cash withdrawals. 

Morrisons supermarket in Southport was chosen for the initiative because of the large numbers of shoppers who use the store, as well as providing added convenience for customers who can carry out their banking and shopping at the same location. 

The first Barclays Pod has recently opened at St Austell in Cornwall. The bank claims that the service has received positive feedback from customers. 

The firm has submitted a planning application for the new Barclays Pod to Sefton Council. 

The Pod would be sited on two existing parent and toddler parking bays immediately adjacent to the store’s garden centre. 

The plans have been submitted by Whittam Cox Architects. In the application, they said: “Located within the car park of the existing Morrisons store, the new pod reduces journeys and increases convenience for the public by coinciding with existing local travel and parking patterns. 

“Customers will be able to “walk-in” or book an appointment with Barclays colleagues in advance. The interior houses two private desk areas for customer appointments which can be converted into a flexible seating setup for seminars and events. 

“The space is heated and air conditioned for comfort and is designed to be fully accessible from the outset, with a wide entrance door and ramp. 

“Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd would also add that the Barclays pod offers a service which is highly valued by Morrisons customers and firmly aligns with their plan to bring more and more popular and useful services to the communities that they serve. There is no disruption to their normal operation.”

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