NatWest has confirmed it will close more than 60 bank branches between September 1 and October 29, 2025, under a restructuring plan designed to reflect changing customer habits and the continued move toward online and mobile banking. According to reporting from GB News, the schedule will see closures implemented gradually over a seven-week period, affecting locations in both large cities and smaller towns.
Four additional branches—Cromer, Evesham, Launceston, and Portishead—are listed with dates yet to be confirmed. The programme forms part of NatWest’s wider operational adjustments aimed at aligning services with evolving demand.
Detailed Closure Schedule
The first branches will close on September 1, 2025 in Cwmbran and Wisbech, followed by a steady wave across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland. The complete list spans large cities and smaller towns, with precise dates ranging from Leicester – Melton Road on September 2 to Bridport on October 29. Key urban locations such as Birmingham – Acocks Green, Cardiff – Canton, and Leicester – Oadby are among those affected.
Previous Closures Earlier in 2025
This latest round follows dozens of closures already implemented earlier in the year. In 2025 alone, NatWest has shut branches in places like Blackburn, Cannock, Liverpool – Walton Vale, Nottingham – Sherwood, Manchester, Stafford, and Keighley. The cumulative effect means many communities have lost direct access to their local bank within months.
Customer Behaviour Driving Change
On the closures, a NatWest spokesperson said:
“We have made the difficult decision to close these branches due to the changing ways our customers choose to bank. We are committed to supporting those impacted and ensuring alternative access to cash and banking services remain available, including through Post Office branches.”
The bank stressed that in-person transactions have declined significantly, while usage of its mobile app and online platforms continues to rise. Similar trends have led Barclays, Santander, and Lloyds Bank to announce or complete branch closures, with Santander and Lloyds also planning to shut more locations in August 2025.
Impact on Communities
Consumer advocacy group Which? warns that such changes could leave vulnerable groups behind, particularly those in rural or underserved areas where alternative banking options are limited and public transport links can make accessing distant branches difficult.
The organisation has repeatedly raised concerns that the speed and scale of recent closures risk widening the gap between digital and in-person services. Jenny Ross, Which? Money Editor, said:
“Access to cash remains hugely important for a significant minority who use it to pay for everyday essentials and keep track of their spending. The raft of branch closures that have happened over recent years have had devastating consequences for lots of communities, often forcing people to travel great distances to visit a branch.”
“Schemes introduced by the banking industry to protect these services, such as banking hubs, are a good start in plugging gaps left by closing physical branches, but they must be rolled out much more quickly if consumers are to feel their benefits.”
Government and Industry Response
To offset the impact, the government has supported the rollout of Banking Hubs—shared spaces where multiple banks operate on different days of the week. These hubs aim to ensure communities retain access to physical services, even after the closure of their local branch.
The debate over balancing digital convenience with the preservation of physical banking infrastructure is likely to intensify as NatWest and other high street names continue their shift away from the traditional branch network.
