NatWest bank to close branch in July
POYNTON’S NatWest branch is set to close due to a decline in the number of people using it.
The branch on London Road will close on July 26, forcing residents to make longer journeys in order to do their banking.
Customers living in Poynton will now be expected to use the Hazel Grove branch 2.4 miles away.
However, the bank said there are five NatWest branches within five miles of Poynton and five free to use ATMs within one mile of the village.
The bank has also brokered a deal with the Post Office on Chester Road to allow its customers to pay money in, take money out and check balances, while business customers can get coinage.
The branch is one of 32 to be axed by the bank’s owners Royal Bank of Scotland in its latest attempt to save costs and respond to customers’ increased use of digital banking.
It is expected that the decision will cut 600 jobs including four in Poynton.
A spokesman said: “We’re closing this branch because the number of transactions at the branch has reduced by 17 per cent since 2011, and only 55 customers use the branch on a weekly basis.
“Eighteen of these customers already use other branches in the area.
“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 46 per cent since 2010 while online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 400 per cent.
“Only nine per cent of their total transactions are now undertaken in branches in comparison to 25 per cent in 2010.
“We are writing to 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 our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”