Natwest branches closing across Greater Manchester

Two Natwest branches are closing in Greater Manchester, it has been announced. The bank group is to shut 36 branches across the UK by the end of July 2024.

It means the total number of NatWest branches scheduled to close this year and into 2024 stands at 140, while the figure for RBS is four, the Mirror reports.

The branch on Melbourne Street, Stalybridge, closed its doors for the final time on Saturday (July 8). This was the last bank in the town.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

The branch on Bury New Road, Prestwich, is then set to shut on October 18 this year.

The closure of the last bank in Stalybridge was met with frustration. This included Stalybridge and Hyde MP, Jonathan Reynolds, who criticised the decision.

Mr Reynolds said: "I received news today that NatWest will close in Stalybridge. It is the last bank branch in the town. I recognise personal banking habits have changed and lots of people don’t use branches anymore, but I still feel the Government have allowed a situation to occur where there will soon be no bank branches outside of major city centres and little thought has been given to what that means.

"The services available by the Post Office are welcome, but often Post Offices have long queues at key times of the day. Small businesses, in particular, need places to deposit cash safely and regularly.

"One alternative that has been proposed are ‘banking hubs’, whereby banks would jointly cover the cost of providing shared facilities. Clearly to work this would have to offer decent provision and availability. I think we clearly need something like this in Stalybridge (and potentially other towns too).

"I have been in touch with LINK