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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Emma Munbodh

NatWest to shut 32 branches across the UK - see the full list of areas affected

NatWest has confirmed plans to close 32 outlets across the UK, following a drop in the use of branches since the pandemic began.

The lender said the decision affects the NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland brands, 32 of which will close in England and Wales in the next 12 months.

Addressing concerns about how the closures will impact groups such as the elderly, the high street bank said it 'will contact vulnerable customers to ensure they can continue to bank with us in the way which suits them best,' ahead of the closures.

It added that a new postal cash delivery and Companion Card service has been rolled out nationwide for vulnerable customers.

The latest round of cuts comes just weeks after it emerged two Post Office branches are closing every week in the UK, leaving "huge gaps" in communities and impacting the elderly, carers and those in rural areas hardest.

Citizens Advice warned 206 post offices have closed in the last two years, the equivalent of two closing each week.

In addition, 1,291 branches are currently deemed “temporarily closed”, but almost six in 10 of these have been shut for more than two years, the report said.

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.

Are you affected by the job cuts? Get in touch: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

11 RBS branches are affected (SWNS)

“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.”

The number of jobs affected is unknown however NatWest said staff will be redeployed where possible.

A statement added: "For the vast majority of colleagues at closing branches, we will look to redeploy them to suitable roles within the branch network.

"For the small number of colleagues placed at risk as a result of this announcement, we will seek to manage any redundancies on a voluntary basis, and also explore where possible, redeployment opportunities."

Are you affected by the job cuts? Get in touch: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

NatWest last cut roles in 2020, when it terminated the positions of 550 employees in its retail business division and shut one of its London offices.

A NatWest spokesman at the time said: "We have taken the decision to invite applications for voluntary redundancy and will support those colleagues who apply with a comprehensive support package. There will be no compulsory redundancy as a result of this announcement."

NatWest also closed it Regents House office in London, which was home to one of the bank's biggest tech hubs and had space for 2,500 workers.

"We have been reviewing our London property strategy to better reflect how we will work in the future," a NatWest spokeswoman said.

"As a result, we will exit Regents House, and will reconfigure our London remaining properties at 250 Bishopsgate and 440 Strand."

Below are all the branches affected by the latest restructuring.

NatWest branches affected

Billericay

Borehamwood

Bulwell & Hucknall

Chelsea

Gillingham Kent

Gosforth

Headingley

Hull University

Leatherhead

Leeds Victoria

Manchester Spinningfields Square

Marlow

Nottingham City

Piccadilly & New Bond Street

Ruislip

South Woodford

Swanley Kent

Tavistock Square

Twickenham

Windsor & Eton

Derby Crompton House

Royal Bank of Scotland branches affected (England & Wales only)

Bishopsgate

Cardiff City

Chelmsford

Cheltenham

Harrow

Leeds Park Row

Leicester Market Street

London Child & Co

Nottingham City Office

Southampton High Street

Wilmslow

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