NatWest to shut nine West Midlands branches

NatWest says it has decided to closing several branches across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire this year

NatWest has confirmed several branches in the West Midlands and Cheshire will be shut in its latest round of closures.

They include five in Staffordshire, three in Cheshire and one in Shropshire.

The bank said it had seen counter transactions in its buildings reduce by more than half, when comparing figures from October 2019 and October 2024.

In contrast, the bank said more than 80% of its active customers used its digital services and more than 97% of new accounts were now opened online.

Closures announced by NatWest in the West Midlands and Cheshire are:

Staffordshire

• Cannock – 12 May

• Leek – 16 June

• Longton, Stoke-on-Trent – 5 June

• Stafford Greengate – 25 June

• Uttoxeter – 2 June

Shropshire

• Market Drayton – NatWest said the branch would not close until the town's Banking Hub is ready open

Cheshire

• Nantwich – 19 June

• Ellesmere Port town centre – 4 June

• Wilmslow – 20 May

The bank confirmed it would continue to invest in alternative methods of in-person banking, such as using the Post Office and banking hubs.

However, bosses believe digital banking offers new and inclusive ways for customers - including those who are elderly or vulnerable - to bank that were not previously available.

They accepted that there will be a "small number" of people who will feel uncomfortable about the move.

"We are proactively reaching out to support them with this transition, having made over 200,000 calls last year," the spokesperson said.

"We also have experts that they can speak to for support and guidance."