NatWest will be calling time on 21 branches, while RBS will shut 11 sites. The move comes less than two years after RBS formally changed its name to NatWest Group following their mega merger. It has been outlined that the majority of staff will relocate to other branches, though 12 jobs will be at risk.
“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,” a statement from NatWest outlined.
“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.”
The impacted sites are as follows:
Billericay, Essex
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Bulwell & Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
Chelsea, Greater London
Gillingham, Kent
Gosforth, Tyne and Wear
Headingley, West Yorkshire
Hull University, East Yorkshire
Leatherhead, Surrey
Leeds Victoria, West Yorkshire
Manchester Spinningfields Square, Greater Manchester
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire
Piccadilly & New Bond Street, Greater London
Ruislip, North-West London
South Woodford, East London
Swanley, Kent
Tavistock Square, Central London
Twickenham, West London
Windsor & Eton, Berkshire
Derby Crompton House, Derbyshire
Bishopsgate, City of London
Cardiff City, Wales
Chelmsford, Essex
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Harrow, North London
Leeds Park Row, West Yorkshire
Leicester Market Street, Leicestershire
London Child & Co
Nottingham City Office, Nottinghamshire
Southampton High Street, Hampshire
Wilmslow, Cheshire
The moves are the latest in a string of branch closures across the UK – research from Which? showed that nearly half of Britain’s bank branches have closed, or are closing, since 2015. Closures have become so common the Principality Building Society actually took the step last week of highlighting that it would not be closing branches until 2025.
