NatWest to permanently close Stalybridge branch

The NatWest bank branch in Stalybridge town centre will close next year, it has been confirmed.

It's one of 34 additional sites that NatWest will close between September 2023 and July 2024, while sister bank RBS will shut two branches in November 2023. 

The Melbourne Street branch is the latest in a long line of high street bank branches in Tameside to permanently shut. The final day of operation will be 8 July 2024. 

It would leave the nearest NatWest branches on Warrington Street in Ashton-under-Lyne and on Market Place in Hyde. 

The continuing shift to mobile and online banking is cited as the main reason for the closure. 

A NatWest spokesperson said: "As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it's faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.

"We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren't right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.

"We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them." 

Stalybridge's Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds is disappointed by the closure of the town's only existing bank branch but is exploring the idea of 'banking hubs' as an alternative. 

The MP, who is also the Shadow Business Secretary, commented: "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)." 

Stalybridge South councillor Doreen Dickinson, who is the leader of the Tameside Conservatives, tweeted: "I feel for elderly people that can’t use technology for online banking and, no matter how good that is, you can't deposit cash so really is the beginning of the end for cash unless people make a sustained effort to use it." 

NatWest customers are being advised to used mobile branches for basic services, like making deposits and withdrawing cash, while pop-up banks can help manage online banking and give information about products and services. 

People can find the nearest ones at https://www.natwest.com

Customers can also access certain facilities at Post Office branches including cash and cheque deposits, checking your balance and withdrawing cash. 

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