NatWest gives exact date bank branch to shut in pretty UK seaside town | UK | News
A major bank has announced the exact date it will close its branch in a British seaside town. The bank’s website stated that teller transactions of non-commercial individual customers at the branch decreased by 54% between October 2019 and October 2025. 74% of customers who visited the branch between November 2024 and October 2025 also performed banking transactions online. This comes as NatWest is set to close a further 31 branches across the country this year.
It was stated that the decision was “difficult” to make. Since 2015 consumer group Which? It estimates 6,660 UK bank branches across various providers have closed. It is stated that NatWest Group, consisting of NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,536 branches; This is more than most of all banking groups. The mass closures have been attributed to factors such as the move to online banking and reduced foot traffic on Britain’s high streets.
NatWest is closing its branch in Herne Bay, Kent, on 24 February due to changing customer behaviour.
The 32 new NatWest branch closures announced last week will bring the total number of closures planned over the next two years to 39, in addition to the seven branches already confirmed.
Four branches in London, two in Manchester and many more across the rest of the UK will be closed. Anyone who banks with NatWest and is affected by a local closure will receive information from the post about next steps.
The bank said £4 million had been allocated to branch investments in affected areas, while mobile branches and cash machines were still available across the UK.
According to the bank, layoffs are also expected to be minimized.
A NatWest spokesman said: “Our branch network is a central part of how we serve our customers and we continue to invest in it for the future, with plans to increase our investment in branches over the next three years.
“But how our customers choose to bank with us is changing and our network and services need to reflect customer demand and ensure we are ready to offer the best possible support.
“Through our unique mobile branches, Community Banking Centres, Post Office partnerships and the largest fee-free ATM network of any bank, we are committed to providing our customers with access to banking that best suits their needs.
“We carefully consider where and when we make the difficult decision to close a branch to minimize the impact any changes may have on our customers and colleagues.”
