Plan to close Doncaster NatWest branch draws fury from politcians

The firm has announced plans to shut its branch in Mexborough this June as part of a raft of nationwide closures.

Councillors and MPs have joined forces to fight the proposal.

Doncaster North MP Ed Milband said: “I’m very concerned to hear about the proposed closure of the Mexborough branch of NatWest in June.

“I know that this will have a big impact on many people in Mexborough who rely on this branch for their banking, as well as the negative impact it will have on footfall in Mexborough town centre.

“I will be writing to the Chief Executive of NatWest to express my concerns about this closure, and I will continue to work closely with Coun Bev Chapman (Mexborough Labour councillor) on this issue.”

Coun Chapman said the branch is due to close on June 3 and added: “This closure will have a devastating impact on our town centre and will mean our residents having to travel to Rotherham or Doncaster to the nearest branch.

“I have raised this with Mayor Ros Jones and MP Ed Miliband to call for help in lobbying NatWest to reverse their decision and keep their Mexborough branch open.

“In 2023 NatWest had operating profits of £6.2bn and paid out £3.6bn to shareholders, yet they want to close a branch which I believe is well used.

"It is always busy when I have been in.”

Mexborough First councillor Sean Gibbons said: “Absolutely devastating news to hear that Mexborough is to lose another well established and mostly busy local banking branch – just what our town doesn't need.

“It is unbelievable and extremely disappointing given how busy the Nat West branch in Mexborough is most of the time. And also the fact that there is circa £24m being spent in Mexborough town centre over the next couple of years in order to regenerate the town.”

A NatWest spokesperson described the closure as “a difficult decision” and added: “At NatWest, our strategy is to create a sustainable branch network that ensures communities across the country have access to banking services, that meet our customers changing needs and expectations.

“Our customers use a range of service options including branches, Post Offices and Banking Hubs and by phone. However, increasingly, our customers are using digital banking more than ever before.

"Over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services and over 97% of accounts with us are now opened online.

“Nonetheless, our branch network remains important to us and this change in customer behaviour means we are providing a smaller number of better branches in locations that are more accessible to a wider range of customers, and that have better technology and facilities to respond to community needs.

“In making this decision to close this branch we have considered a wide range of factors including, but not limited to; impact on customers; the level of financial vulnerability in the area; the nearest available branch; Post Office and free ATMs and regular transport links.

“Those that still need branch services will be able to use our NatWest Rotherham Markets branch, Mexborough Post Office, and the Wath Upon Dearne Banking Hub.

NatWest recognises that some people will need assistance to make this transition, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances. To help these customers, our Customer Support Specialists are proactively contacting those who use the branch to provide dedicated support. As well as helping with access to banking services, the support extends to building financial capability in areas such as fraud and scam awareness and digital capability.”