Barclays has begun disposing of 99 branches in England and Wales as part of a major rationalisation programme.
It follows the announcement last month of the bank’s intention to close 171 branches, citing the growth of telephone and internet banking as the main reason behind the move.
A spokeswoman said that around half of the bank’s freehold branches would be sold through auction, and the rest by private treaty.
The bank’s London network of outlets will be largely unaffected by the sale, with the exception of the Wimbledon Hill branch, which is also the largest of the branches in the sale portfolio.
Barclays will retain a further 27 branches which it has closed, but which contain ATM machines.
Weatherall Green & Smith is handling the disposal of the portfolio, which is understood to have already attracted interest from the leisure sector. Countrywide is handling the sale of the properties earmarked for auction, starting in London this week.
Further auctions are planned in the coming weeks in Birmingham, Plymouth, Manchester, Cardiff and Newcastle.
