A major bank has confirmed 37 branches will close by February 2027, with 34 having confirmed closure dates and the majority shutting before the end of June this year
NatWest has revealed it is axing dozens of branches over the coming year. The banking behemoth has confirmed closure dates for 34 branches, with three additional sites earmarked to be shut on dates still to be announced.
Most of the closures will occur before the end of June 2026, with numerous locations being substituted for banking hubs to provide customers with some face-to-face service access. The lender detailed the decision on its website, offering information about what the changes mean for customers of each specific branch.
It said: “We’ve recently announced that we’re closing some branches. You can still bank with us in many other ways. Banking has changed dramatically in recent years.
“There’s more demand for mobile and online services, allowing you to benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. We understand the closure of your local branch will bring some changes, and we want to make sure you are fully informed and supported every step of the way.”
It added that customers could discover additional details through the closure guides accessible on its website. Earlier this week, Barclays indicated a significant reversal on a similar move to close banks.
Since 2018, more than 800 Barclays branches have closed their doors – leaving just 206 still functioning throughout the UK, according to the bank’s most recent annual report.
However, The Times reports that Vim Maru, chief executive officer at Barclays UK, has announced a halt to the closures and plans to expand the network once again.
He told the publication: “What we’re trying to do is something that allows us to differentiate in front of our customers.
“Of course we’re going to be great in digital – but we’re going to be there for you when you need some help and support. You’re not going to be stuck in some chatbot trying to get out of the loop and trying to speak to someone.”
Since 2020, NatWest has invested £115 million in its branches and has confirmed it will continue to financially back its network over the next three years.
It said that funds have been directed towards banking hubs, which are run by the Post Office. Despite this, it has closed hundreds of branches since 2022, including over 100 last year alone.
A NatWest spokesperson previously said: “We carefully assess where and when we make the difficult decision to close a branch to minimise the impact any change may have on our customers and colleagues.”
NatWest has confirmed the closure dates of 34 branches before the end of February 2027, with the majority closing before the end of June this year. Three additional branches will close on an as yet unconfirmed date.
Here is the complete list of branches that are confirmed to be closing and the dates NatWest has said it will happen.
May 2026
- Ashford (Middlesex): 12/5/2026
- Barnet: 11/5/2026
- Brentwood: 13/5/2026
- Cheetham Hill: 12/5/26
- Chorlton-cum-Hardy: 20/5/26
- Eastcote: 11/5/2026
- Harlow: 21/5/2026
- Hartlepool: 14/5/2026
- Hornchurch: 21/5/2026
- Hove: 19/5/2026
- Loughton: 18/5/2026
- Orpington: 27/5/2026
- Portishead: 12/05/2026
- Tooting: 18/5/26
- Waltham Cross: 28/5/2026
June 2026
- Aldershot: 2/6/2026
- Boston: 11/6/2026
- Fulham Broadway: 18/6/2026
- Grays: 15/6/2026
- Halifax: 18/6/2026
- Hemel Hempstead: 1/6/2026
- Kirkby Lonsdale: 10/6/2026
- Liverpool Street Station: 17/6/2026
- Palmers Green, London: 1/6/2026
- Pontefract: 4/6/2026
- Sheffield – Attercliffe: 8/6/2026
- South Shields : 9/6/2026
- Southall: 4/6/2026
- Welwyn Garden City: 3/6/2026
August 2026
- Evesham: 25/8/2026
September 2026
- Regent Street, London: 30/9/2026
February 2027
- Godalming: 23/2/2027 unless a banking hub is set up earlier which will bring this date forward
- Herne Bay: 24/2/2027
- Sydenham: 23/2/27 or later if a banking hub is still to be found
Date to be confirmed
- Ashby-de-la-Zouch: To be confirmed after a banking hub is found
- Launceston: To be confirmed after a banking hub is found
- Torquay: To be confirmed after a banking hub is found
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