A HUDDERSFIELD bank will break with tradition and open on New Year’s Day.

Barclays at Market Place, Huddersfield town centre, will be the only bank opening on January 1.

Stuart Ambler, manager at the branch, said: “In response to customers’ evolving needs, customers now have more choice about when they want to visit the branch.

“The New Year opening hours makes great sense for our customers as high streets up and down the country will be busy with shoppers looking to grab a bargain in the New Year sales.

“Bank holidays can often be a time when customer’s have a little more time to reflect on their finances and perhaps a good time to implement some positive financial resolutions.

“Whatever the reason we will be happy for our customers to take advantage of the new opening hours.”

The branch will open from 10am until 2pm and the company says it is the first time any branch of Barclays in England and Wales has opened on New Year’s Day since it became recognised as an official bank holiday in 1974.

A spokeswoman for Halifax and Lloyds TSB said they would not be opening branches on New Year’s Day, adding: “Historically when any branch has opened as part of a trial it has proven to be very quiet with low footfall.”

A spokeswoman for the Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest, which also have branches in Huddersfield, said they will remain closed on New Year’s Day and HSBC will also be closed.

Barclays says UK consumers are predicted to spend around £530 million on debit cards in the New Year’s Day sales and withdraw more than £250 million from ATM’s across the UK.