High street bank to shut branches across East Lancashire

A Blackburn NatWest branch is among 53 banks set to close across the country this year.

A notice on the NatWest website says the Blackburn Eanam branch, at Copy Nook will permanently close on 12 May. The town centre branch on King William Street will remain open.

The Accrington NatWest, St James Street is to shut on June 5 and the Rawtenstall branch, Bank Street, will shut on May 29. Elsewhere in Lancashire, the Leyland branch, Golden Hill Lane will shut on May 15.

In Accrington, the bank said it will provide a ‘community pop up’ following the closure.

NatWest was one of the final few banks which still provided counter service and also had smaller banks in addition to their town centre locations.

The Blackburn Eanam branch was one of the last surviving smaller branches in Blackburn. A sign on the window points customers to online and telephone services and the town centre branch.

Barclays and HSBC have both stopped hosting counters with customers asked to deposit cash through machines.

In Blackburn, Barclays shut their branch on Darwen Street in May last year and now have a stall in the Mall Blackburn. HSBC still has a branch on Church Street but there is no counter service.

In Darwen a landmark banking hub opened for business in December. The hub was the third to be unveiled for East Lancashire after similar facilities were created in Great Harwood and Barnoldswick, other towns deserted by high street banks.

The location of NatWest Banks in the area (Image: Nq)

Blackburn Central ward Councillor Zamir Khan said: “It will be very difficult for now people who used to using a high street bank and services they offer.

“We had TSB, Barclays and NatWest - three leading banks in and around the area. Two have closed and now we are hearing the last remaining bank will be shutting too. I am disappointed to hear of this as will local residents.”

Cllr Mahfouz Hussain: “Local banks are still used by people. I have been using the branch at Eanam in Blackburn myself for 22 years.

“A lot of  the older community and businesses still like to visit the bank and use the services. It is something they have always done.

“I am glad some banks still have pop up locations but smaller banks still serve a purpose to local communities.”

NatWest said: "Banking has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services, as our customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank.

"Closing a branch is a decision we take very seriously.

"We know it can affect those less confident with alternatives we offer. We'll always work hard to guide and support you through the changes and find the best way to serve you from now on."

The NatWest branch at Eanam (Image: LT) The major high street bank currently has more than 520 branches across the UK, while the NatWest Group boasts over 19 million customers.

The NatWest Group, which is also responsible for the likes of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, has already closed a number of stores in recent years.