In recent years, NatWest Bank, one of the largest banking institutions in the UK, has made headlines with its decision to close a significant number of branches. But why are these closures happening, and how will they affect the millions of customers who rely on them? In this article, we explore the reasons behind these closures, their impact on customers, and how NatWest is handling the transition.
The Reasons Behind NatWest’s Branch Closures
Changing Consumer Banking Habits
In an age where smartphones and computers are integral to daily life, more and more customers are opting for online banking rather than visiting physical branches. NatWest has noticed this shift and is adapting to it. With fewer people walking into branches, the demand for physical locations has declined, prompting the bank to reassess its real estate portfolio.
Cost-Cutting Measures and Efficiency
Another factor driving the closures is the bank’s desire to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Maintaining a vast network of branches is expensive. By closing some of these locations, NatWest aims to streamline its operations and allocate resources more effectively.
In 2024, NatWest Group closed 48 branches and shut down almost 20 branches the year before. As it stands, NatWest has more than 19 million customers, with around 3.5 million using online banking.
Here is the full list of NatWest branches closing in 2025:
- Accrington
- Alfreton
- Beverley
- Bishop Auckland
- Blackburn, Audley, Copy Nook
- Bridlington
- Cannock
- Cleveleys
- Derby – Allenton
- Dewsbury
- Ellesmere Port
- Failsworth – Hollinwood – Oldham Road
- Farnworth
- Garstang
- Goole
- Keighley
- Leeds, Chapel Allerton, Harrogate Road
- Leeds – Cross Gates
- Leek
- Leyland, Golden Hill, Chapel Brow
- Liverpool – Walton Vale
- Long Eaton
- Louth
- Manchester
- Mansfield
- Market Drayton
- Mexborough
- Middleton
- Morley
- Nantwich
- Newark-on-Trent
- Newcastle upon Tyne – West Denton
- Nottingham – Sherwood – Hucknall Road
- Nottingham – West Bridgford
- Rawtenstall
- Rochdale
- Salford – Trafford Park – Third Avenue
- Sheffield – Ecclesall Road
- St Annes On Sea
- Stafford
- Stockport – Hazel Grove
- Stockport, Heaton Moor
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Stoke-on-Trent – Longton
- Urmston
- Uttoxeter
- Wallasey
- Washington
- Widnes
- Willerby
- Wilmslow
- Windermere
- Worksop
Speaking to The Sun, a NatWest spokesperson said, “Our customers are using digital banking more than ever before—over 80 percent of our active current account holders now use our digital services, and over 97 percent of retail accounts with us are now opened online.
“We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network; we expect to invest in excess of £20 million in our network across the UK in 2025 to improve customer service, enhance the look and feel of our branches, and reduce the environmental impact of our buildings, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and Banking Hubs.”
“Like any business, we strive to meet our customers’ changing needs and expectations, and we’ve been responding to the industry-wide shift towards digital services by investing to broaden what customers can do themselves and to offer them greater personalisation.”
The exact dates of these bank branch closures have yet to be confirmed by NatWest
