Two Natwest branches are closing in Greater Manchester, it has been announced. The bank group is to shut 36 branches across the UK by the end of July 2024.
It means the total number of NatWest branches scheduled to close this year and into 2024 stands at 140, while the figure for RBS is four, the Mirror reports.
The branch on Melbourne Street, Stalybridge, closed its doors for the final time on Saturday (July 8). This was the last bank in the town.
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The branch on Bury New Road, Prestwich, is then set to shut on October 18 this year.
The closure of the last bank in Stalybridge was met with frustration. This included Stalybridge and Hyde MP, Jonathan Reynolds, who criticised the decision.
Mr Reynolds said: "I received news today that NatWest will close in Stalybridge. It is the last bank branch in the town. I recognise personal banking habits have changed and lots of people don’t use branches anymore, but I still feel the Government have allowed a situation to occur where there will soon be no bank branches outside of major city centres and little thought has been given to what that means.
"The services available by the Post Office are welcome, but often Post Offices have long queues at key times of the day. Small businesses, in particular, need places to deposit cash safely and regularly.
"One alternative that has been proposed are ‘banking hubs’, whereby banks would jointly cover the cost of providing shared facilities. Clearly to work this would have to offer decent provision and availability. I think we clearly need something like this in Stalybridge (and potentially other towns too).
"I have been in touch with LINK today following this news. It is their job to make the determination on whether one is necessary. The initial response is encouraging. I would be grateful for constituents views on this so that I could demonstrate such a proposal has community support – either by comment or email. Thank you in advance for this and as ever I will provide an update when I am able to do so."
You can find your nearest mobile branch or banking hub on the NatWest website. You can also access certain facilities at Post Office branches including cash and cheque deposits, checking your balance and withdrawing cash.
A NatWest spokesperson said: "As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives. We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.
"We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them."
