NatWest has announced the closure of 53 bank branches across the UK in 2025, following a growing trend of customers opting for online banking. The closures are part of the bank’s strategy to respond to the increasing shift towards digital services, which has seen over 80% of active current account holders using online banking.
This move follows a year of major branch reductions, with NatWest closing 48 branches in 2024 and around 20 in 2023. The total number of NatWest Group branch closures since 2015 has now reached 1,409, as part of a broader trend across the UK, where banks and building societies have closed more than 6,000 branches.
The latest closures come as part of the bank’s investment in new ways to serve customers, including investing £20 million in its UK network for 2025 to improve customer service and reduce the environmental impact of its buildings. NatWest also continues to invest in shared services, such as the Post Office and Banking Hubs, to provide more options for customers without easy access to physical branches.
The full list of NatWest branch closures for 2025 is as follows:
- 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 – Date to be confirmed
- 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
This decision has sparked concerns, particularly in smaller communities and rural areas, where the loss of bank branches leaves many people, especially the elderly, without easy access to in-person banking services. Several areas in the UK have been highlighted as “banking deserts,” with limited options for customers who may struggle with online services.
A NatWest spokesperson commented, “Our customers are using digital banking more than ever before – over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services. We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network to meet customers’ evolving needs and expectations.”
While many customers have embraced online banking, these closures continue to have a major impact on local high streets, further pushing the trend of digitalisation and raising concerns about access for those less familiar with technology.
