NatWest Group, which includes NatWest, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank, will close over 50 branches in 2025, continuing a broader industry trend. With an increasing shift toward digital banking, high street branches are being phased out to adapt to changing consumer habits.
According to Manchester Evening News, this closure plan forms part of a larger strategy to streamline operations and invest in digital services.
The closures will affect several locations across the UK, marking a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of the banking sector. The changes reflect a shift that has been gathering momentum for years.
Details of NatWest’s 2025 Branch Closures
In a bid to streamline its operations, NatWest Group has announced the closure of 54 branches by June 2025, with the first closures set for April. This follows a pattern that has seen the group close over 1,400 branches since 2015.
A spokesperson from NatWest emphasised that the rise of online banking has played a significant role in the decision to close the branches.
Since 2015, NatWest has closed over 1,400 branches across its network. The shift towards digital banking has accelerated, with the bank reporting that 90% of its 19 million customers predominantly use online services. According to the spokesperson,
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.
The Impact of Online Banking on High Street Banks
The increasing preference for online banking services among customers has made it more challenging for high street banks to maintain physical branches.
As a result, many banking giants have been forced to reduce their physical presence to better align with customer habits. NatWest’s decision is in line with a broader industry-wide shift where customers increasingly prefer digital services over in-person banking.
In addition to the closures, NatWest is making significant investments to modernise its network. The group plans to invest over £20 million in its network in 2025 to improve customer service, enhance the look and feel of branches, and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
As part of this investment, NatWest will also continue to expand its shared solutions like partnerships with the Post Office and the development of Banking Hubs.
List of NatWest Branch Closures in Greater Manchester and Beyond
Several NatWest branches will close in Greater Manchester, with Middleton being the first to shut on April 30, 2025. The bank is closing nine sites in the region over the next few months.
Other closures across the UK include locations in Aintree, Dewsbury, and Sheffield, among others. These closures span from April to June, with various branches closing on specific dates. For a complete list, see below.
Full List of Natwest Branches Closing in April:
- Cleveleys, April 28
- Dewsbury, April 28
- Willerby and Kirk Ella, April 29
- Bishop Auckland, April 29
- Middleton, April 30
- Chapel Allerton, April 3
Full list of NatWest branches closing in May:
- Aintree Black Bull – May 14
- Allenton – May 13
- Basford – May 21
- Cannock – May 12
- Eanam – May 12
- Hollinwood – May 7
- Farnworth – May 15
- Goole – May 14
- Leyland – May 15
- Long Eaton – May 29
- Louth, Market Place – May 28
- Morley – May 8
- Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Units 13 & 14 Denton Park Centre – May 1
- Rawtenstall – May 29
- Sheffield – May 7
- Trafford Park – May 20
- Urmston – May 13
- Wallasey – May 21
- Widnes – May 8
- Wilmslow – May 20
- Windermere – May 1
- London (East) – to be confirmed
Full list of NatWest branches closing in June:
- Uttoxeter – June 2
- Alfreton – June 2
- Mexborough – June 3
- Stockport, Heaton Moor – June 3
- Ellesmere Port – June 4
- Stockton-on-Tees – June 4
- Stoke-on-Trent, Longton – June 5
- Accrington – June 5
- Leeds, Cross Gates – June 10
- Rochdale – June 10
- Manchester – June 11
- Bridlington – June 11
- Newark-on-Trent – June 17
- Washington – June 17
- Worksop – June 18
- Nantwich – June 19
- Stockport, Hazel Grove – June 19
- Nottingham, West Bridgford – June 24
- St Annes On Sea – June 24
- Stafford – June 25
- Market Drayton – at a date to be confirmed by the bank
Other Banks Following a Similar Path
NatWest is not alone in this trend. In recent years, several high street banks have reduced their branch portfolios. Santander recently announced the closure of 95 branches and plans to cut opening hours at 36 locations while turning another 18 into counter-free banks, resulting in the loss of over 750 jobs.
Similarly, Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, has shut over 1,200 branches. Meanwhile, Barclays has reduced its network by over 1,220 branches, the largest reduction among any single chain.
This shift towards digital banking is evident across the industry. According to data from the consumer group Which?, banks and building societies have closed over 6,100 branches since January 2015, with an average of 53 closures per month.
The ongoing shift towards digital services has led banks like NatWest to invest heavily in technology and alternative solutions such as Post Office partnerships and the development of Banking Hubs, ensuring that customers continue to have access to necessary banking services.
