Natwest Bank closures to hit Mansfield Woodhouse and Shirebrook

The high street giant said today it had taken the ‘difficult decision’ to close the NatWest Mansfield Woodhouse branch on the 29 July 2015 and the NatWest Shirebrook branch on 18 August 2015.

The number of transactions taking place at the NatWest Mansfield Woodhouse branch has dropped by 26 per cent since 2011, while at the NatWest Shirebrook branch, the number of transactions dropped by 19 per cent.

They have said they will ensure that a number of alternative ways for their customers to continue banking with NatWest are available.

The bank said they have reached an agreement with the Post Office, who have a branch close to both of the banks.

NatWest customers can check their balance, deposit cheques and withdraw funds at the Post Office following the closures.

A spokesman for the bank said: “We are committed to following the UK government protocol on branch closures, and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.

“Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank such as online and mobile banking. As a result, branch transactions have declined by around 36 per cent since 2010 whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 300 per cent.

“We will keep the ATM in both communities. There are also three other free to use ATMs within one mile of the NatWest Mansfield Woodhouse branch and seven within one mile of NatWest Shirebrook branch.”

“We are writing to all of our customers who use the branch, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure. Between now and the closure date, we will engage with all of our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking with us in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”

The nearest branch, NatWest Mansfield, will receive a significant investment this year to refurb the branch.