According to the experts, change is the only constant in life. However, change can be scary, especially when it occurs too unexpectedly. This is the case in the UK, as things are taking a turn, whether it be for the better or the worse, we cannot say. NatWest and Halifax have announced a massive bank closure, and citizens will have to bid farewell to an entire list of branches. Find out today which branches will no longer feature on the streets of the UK, and why.
UK streets are rapidly changing, and some residents are not happy
On 4 June 2025, and on Monday, the residents of Leek, Staffordshire, witnessed the closure of two prime banking firms. According to the BBC, business owners and shoppers raised their concerns after the “terrible” loss of the branches and the potential consequences it could hold for their town. Angela Golding, a worker at Leek’s Delia Metcalfe store, had this to say:
“We like the cash because it stops the card machine fees. Older people like to give cash to their grandchildren. Everybody needs cash and we all use it.”
Many business owners, such as Stephen Lanza, who runs Mosaic Boutique in Sheep Market, still prefer the security of using cash instead of credit or debit card transactions. Some elders are concerned about losing the option of having an in-person consult. Allan Clarke, 75, who has been with the one banking firm since he was 16 years old, shared his unhappiness:
“You used to be able to go and see a bank manager, now we can’t even get in the building.”
The reasons behind this massive bank closure
There have been several closures for September, with many to continue into October. According to Sam Richardson, a deputy editor at Which? Which?, This event is a representation of a “seismic shift” in the way that British people are opting to bank. As technology has moved forward, so have banking customers, with more people preferring online and mobile banking.
A NatWest spokesperson has confirmed that over 80% of its present account holders make use of digital services, and over 97% of retail accounts are now online, as per a report by the Metro. Halifax has also confirmed that its in-person transactions at its branches have decreased by 48% the past five years. For Halifax, these closures are necessary to decrease costs.
This list indicates all the branches that will be closing
NatWest and Halifax will collectively be closing 39 branches for good this September, and this is only the beginning. Since 2015, a mind-boggling 6,443 branches of banks and building societies have closed down, which is an average of 53 closures monthly, as per the consumer champion.
List of NatWest closures
- Willerby, September 22
- Abingdon, September 24
- Birmingham (Acocks Green), September 16
- Bicester, September 30
- Cardiff (Canton), September 16
- Cirencester, September 17
- Cwmbran, September 1
- Birmingham (Edgbaston), September 11
- Ely, September 10
- Bristol (Fishponds), September 4
- Halesowen, September 3
- Hinckley, September
- Luton (Leagrave), September 15
- Leicester (Melton Road), September 2
- Llangefni, September 4
- Cardiff (Llanishen), September 11
- Melton Mowbray, September 29
- Newmarket (Suffolk), September 24
- Northampton (Weston Favell Shopping Centre), September 15
- Leicester (Oadby), September 10
- Rayleigh, September 2
- Birmingham (Smethwick), September 25
- Sudbury, September 30
- Wickford, September 18
- Wisbech, September 1
- Yate, September 25
List of Halifax closures:
- Barrow-in-Furness, September 10
- Brentwood, September 10
- Castleford, September 8
- Cirencester, September 25
- Epsom, September 15
- Erdington, September 24
- London Clapham Junction, September 23
- Long Eaton, September 18
- Norwich, September 3
- Rhyl, September 23
- Richmond (Surrey), September 16
- Skegness, September 3
- Walkden, September 25
While turning to online banking and digital services is beneficial with regard to an increase in safety and reducing waiting times at local bank branches, these closures could be happening too rapidly for some British folk to keep up with. It would be advisable to implement additional support programs for customer services at the remaining branches, specifically aimed at British people who are not as comfortable with modern banking and may require training of some sort.
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