NatWest to close 53 bank branches in fresh blow to UK high street – see if your local is affected
NATWEST will close 53 bank branches in a fresh blow to the UK high street.
The major lender said it will shutter the branches in multiple locations from this year.
The firm has already reduced its portfolio of physical branches in recent years, as young customers continue to favour online banking.
Last year Natwest Group closed 48 sites and in 2023 it shuttered nearly 20 branches.
NatWest has over 19million customers and it says over 3.5million customers use online banking.
Since 2015, NatWest Group, which encompasses NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,409 branches.
NatWest is just one of many high street lenders looking to reduce their portfolio in recent years.
Banks and building societies have closed 6,161 branches since January 2015 at a rate of around 53 each month, according to Which?.
Lloyds Banking Group, comprising Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, has shut down 1,216 sites.
Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, with 1,227 branch closures.
Here is the full list of NatWest branches that have been announced as closing in 2025.
- Accrington – June 5
- Alfreton – June 2
- Beverley – June 25
- Bishop Auckland – April 29
- Blackburn, Audley, Copy Nook – May 12
- Bridlington – June 11
- Cannock – May 12
- Cleveleys – April 28
- Derby, Allenton – May 13
- Dewsbury – April 28
- Ellesmere Port – June 4
- Failsworth, Hollinwood, Oldham Road – May 7
- Farnworth – May 15
- Garstang – June 26
- Goole – May 14
- Keighley – June 16
- Leeds, Chapel Allerton, Harrogate Road – April 30
- Leeds, Cross Gates – June 10
- Leek – June 16
- Leyland, Golden Hill, Chapel Brow – May 15
- Liverpool, Walton Vale – May 14
- Long Eaton – May 29
- Louth – May 28
- Manchester – June 11
- Mansfield – June 26
- Market Drayton – at a date to be confirmed by the bank
- Mexborough – June 3
- Middleton – April 30
- Morley – May 8
- Nantwich – June 19
- Newark-on-Trent – June 17
- Newcastle upon Tyne, West Denton – May 1
- Nottingham, Sherwood, Hucknall Road – May 21
- Nottingham, West Bridgford – June 24
- Rawtenstall – May 29
- Rochdale – June 10
- Salford, Trafford Park, Third Avenue – May 20
- Sheffield, Ecclesall Road – May 7
- St Annes On Sea – June 24
- Stafford – June 25
- Stockport, Hazel Grove – June 19
- Stockport, Heaton Moor – June 3
- Stockton-on-Tees – June 4
- Stoke-on-Trent, Longton – June 5
- Urmston – May 13
- Uttoxeter – June 2
- Wallasey – May 21
- Washington – June 17
- Widnes – May 8
- Willerby – April 29
- Wilmslow – May 20
- Windermere – May 1
- Worksop – June 18
A NatWest spokesperson told The Sun: “Our customers are using digital banking more than ever before – over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services and over 97% of retail accounts with us are now opened online.
“We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network – we expect to invest in excess of £20m in our network across the UK in 2025 to improve customer service, enhance the look and feel of our branches, and reduce the environmental impact of our buildings, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and Banking Hubs.”
“Like any business, we strive to meet our customers’ changing needs and expectations and we’ve been responding to the industry wide shift towards digital services by investing to broaden what customers can do themselves and to offer them greater personalisation.”
What to do if your local bank branch closes
New rules from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean banks and building societies that shut branches have to make sure customers can still get cash.
When they make changes, they need to check whether local communities will be left without important cash services, like branches or ATMs, and fix any significant gaps.
Residents and community groups can also ask for a review of cash-access gaps, and the providers have to respond.
If big gaps are found, banks and building societies need to offer reasonable alternatives, like keeping branches or ATMs open until new ones are set up.
Solutions can include setting up banking hubs, new ATMs, or using Post Office facilities to keep cash services going.
The vast majority of banking customers are moving online and don’t need a physical branch as much as before.
But any closures can be an issue for others, particularly elderly people in rural areas who don’t have access to the internet.
What services do banking hubs offer?
BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches.
Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.
Each hub features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks.
Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week.
Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
However, if your local branch is set to close, or has recently, you have some options.
You can carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office.
You won’t be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account at once though.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by using the locator tool on its website.
Plus, hundreds more banking hubs are set to open to replace lost banking services following years of widespread branch closures.
Banking hubs offer a solution by allowing staff from multiple banks to share the same space, filling the gaps that branch closures left.
Banking hubs typically feature a counter service operated by the Post Office as standard, enabling customers to conduct routine banking transactions conveniently.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
It’s worth contacting your bank to see what services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.