NatWest close a number of its branches across the UK next week, marking another blow for the UK high street. Four of NatWest’s braches will be closed next week and a further 13 will shut after that in June. The bank has cited changing customer habits such as the rise of online and mobile banking as a reason for these closures. They explained in a statement that they take these closure decisions “seriously”.
A statement on the NatWest wesbite reads: “Banking has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services, as our customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. Closing a branch is a decision we take very seriously. We know it can affect those less confident with the alternatives we offer. We’ll always work hard to guide and support you through the changes and find the best way to serve you from now on.”
The NatWest branches that are closing next week:
- Cross Gates (69 Station Road LS15 8DJ) on Tuesday, June 10
- Rochdale (Town Hall Square OL16 1LL) on Tuesday, June 10
- Bridlington (2 King Street YO15 2DB) on Wednesday, June 11
- Manchester Portland Street (60 Portland Street M1 4QT) on Wednesday, June 11
Meanwhile, other closures are expected to happen today (Friday, June 6). They are the Accrington branch (5 St. James Street BB5 1LY) and the Longton branch (Market Street ST3 2HW).
The remaining 13 NatWest brAnches set to close throughout remainder of June:
- Keighley (63 North Street BD21 3SB) on Monday, June 16
- Leek (24 Derby Street ST13 5AF) on Monday, June 16
- Newark (1 Market Place NG24 1DY) on Tuesday, June 17
- Washington (The Galleries NE38 7SG) on Tuesday, June 17
- Worksop (69 Bridge Street S80 1DJ) on Wednesday, June 18
- Hazel Grove (180 London Road SK7 4DH) on Thursday, June 19
- Nantwich (36 High Street CW5 5GA) on Thursday, June 19
- St. Annes-on-Sea (The Square, 24 St Annes Road West FY8 1RH) on Tuesday, June 24
- West Bridgford (52 Rectory Road NG2 6FF) on Tuesday, June 24
- Beverley (60 Market Place HU17 8AA) on Wednesday, June 25
- Stafford Greengate (41 Greengate Street ST16 2JA ) on Wednesday, June 25
- Garstang (Market Place PR3 1ZA) on Thursday, June 26
- Mansfield (9 Church Street NG18 1AF) on Thursday, June 26.
There is growing concern over the increase in bank closures over the last few years. Earlier today, Labour MP Ian Lavery said: “Communities are being sacrificed at the altar of greed, at the behest of banks that no longer see the services they provide as profitable, and as is so often the case, the elderly, the disabled and the poor, who either cannot cope with computers or cannot afford expensive broadband, are the ones who have been hit the hardest.
“Moreover, the closures have further eroded local economies, with fewer visits to the high street being made and local businesses having additional costs linked to such practicalities as making cash deposits.”