Macclesfield escapes the NatWest closures

The closure of 57 branches nationwide has been announced by NatWest.

Fortunately, for Macclesfield folk, our town isn’t included.

Four branches will go in Cheshire, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Ellesmere Port and Widnes will be closing in May-June of this year.

More customers are using online banking facilities, sadly and inevitably, it’s the aged, less mobile and less vulnerable that will suffer.

Since 2015, the company, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed more than 1,400 outlets.

Confirming the closures NatWest Group said: “The way people bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services as customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. While we respond to that demand, we recognise our responsibility to provide customers who feel less able to make use of these services with support for the change.

“That’s why we are communicating with our customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users. We must review our branches and make sure they are in locations where customers use them most.”

It added: “We are committed to providing our customers with 12 weeks notice of a branch closure announcement.” It said further details including the exact closing date would be available through a poster displayed in branch, or via a closure guide available in branch or online.