'It's another body blow for the town centre'

A bank has announced the closure of its branch in Bolton’s second biggest town.

In what has been described as a ‘body blow’ to town centre, the NatWest on Market Street, Farnworth, will close its doors on May 15. A spokesperson for NatWest, said: “In making this decision to close this branch we have considered a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, impact on customers, the level of financial vulnerability in the area, the nearest available branch, Post Office and free ATMs and regular transport links.

“NatWest recognises that some people will need assistance to make this transition, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances. To help these customers, our customer support specialists are proactively contacting those who use the branch to provide dedicated support.”

The announcement will add to the startling number of branch closures over the past three years. Nationally, there have been an average of around 46 closures per month or 11 per week.

Ward councillor Sue Haworth has urged the banks’ management to reconsider the closure. She said: “This is a body blow for Farnworth and most unwelcome. NatWest make no mention of the Greater Manchester mayor town centre challenge project that’s been in place since the end of 2018.

“No mention of the sizeable transformation going on in the town centre at the present time. There are new apartments, new houses, roads changes, pavements changes, new community hub and new commercial units.

“Find me a town with this much change going on at the present time where NatWest are closing a branch – there isn’t one.” She added: “I ask the board of NatWest Bank to allow a reprieve for this local branch.

“We don’t want changes to occur that will have people travelling out of