Thousands of NatWest and Santander customers are set to lose their local branches next week as the financial giants continue their push towards online banking. A total of 17 branches of the two institutions will close their doors over a four-day period starting on Monday.
Closures Part of Wider Programme
The closures are part of a wider programme which is seeing hundreds of branches disappear from the high street across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Both Santander and NatWest said they were making the move as customers were making more of their transactions via digital platforms.
Santander Closures
Santander said in January it was closing 44 branches. Most of these have already shut their doors with the remaining 15 listed for closure going this month. The last two on the list, Liskeard, Cornwall and Shirley, West Midlands, are due to shut for good on Wednesday, May 20.
Branches closing next week include: Andover, Hampshire (May 12); Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan (May 12); Enniskillen, County Fermanagh (May 12); Macclesfield, Cheshire (May 12); Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (May 12); Cwmbran, Gwent (May 13); Golders Green, London (May 13); Heswall, Merseyside (May 13); Redditch, Worcestershire (May 13); Stranraer, Wigtownshire (May 13).
Branches closing by the end of May: Newton Abbot, Devon (May 19); Stafford, Staffordshire (May 19); Banbridge, County Down (May 19); Liskeard, Cornwall (May 20); Shirley, West Midlands (May 20).
NatWest Closures
NatWest is closing a further 15 of its UK branches nationwide by the end of May. Seven of these are between Monday, May 11 and Thursday, May 14. Eight more are scheduled to permanently shut their doors in May, then a further 14 in June. Five more are due to close by the end of September and three next year.
Branches closing next week: Barnet (May 11); Eastcote (May 11); Ashford (Middlesex) (May 12); Cheetham Hill (May 12); Portishead (May 12); Brentwood (May 13); Hartlepool (May 14).
Branches closing by the end of May: Loughton (May 18); Tooting (May 18); Hove (May 19); Chorlton-cum-Hardy (May 20); Harlow (May 21); Hornchurch (May 21); Orpington (May 27); Waltham Cross (May 28).
Banking Hubs and Support
Announcing the closures in January, NatWest said most of its affected branches would be replaced by banking hubs where customers would be able to access face-to-face services. In a statement on its website, it said: "Banking has changed dramatically in recent years. There's more demand for mobile and online services, allowing you to benefit from a faster and easier way to bank."
"We understand the closure of your local branch will bring some changes, and we want to make sure you are fully informed and supported every step of the way."
Below are details of all the branches closing in May. There is also a full list of all the NatWest branch closures still to come and details of when they are due to take place.
Future NatWest Closures
Branches closing in June: Hemel Hempstead (June 1); Palmers Green, London (June 1); Aldershot (June 2); Welwyn Garden City (June 3); Pontefract (June 4); Southall (June 4); Sheffield - Attercliffe (June 8); South Shields (June 9); Kirkby Lonsdale (June 10); Boston (June 11); Grays (June 15); Liverpool Street Station (June 17); Fulham Broadway (June 18); Halifax (June 18).
Branches closing in August: Evesham (August 25).
Branches closing in September: Regent Street, London (September 30).
Branches closing in February 2027: Godalming (February 23 unless a banking hub is set up earlier which will bring this date forward); Sydenham (February 23 or later if a banking hub is still to be found); Herne Bay (February 24).
