Natwest to Close 11 North Wales Banks – Including Rossett Branch

Natwest have announced plans to close 11 banks across North Wales, including a local branch in Rossett.

The branches in Rhos-on-Sea, Abergele, St Asaph, Denbigh, Rossett Corwen, Llangollen, Buckley, Abersoch and Blaenau Ffestiniog will close in September and follow a pattern of banks withdrawing from many towns in Wales. It means that towns such as Rhos-on-Sea and Corwen could be left without a single bank.

The Rossett branch, which is based on Station Road is set to close on on 24 September 2015.

Already concerns have been raised on the impact the loss of the local branches will have on the smaller communities across North Wales.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: “This is yet another bank abandoning vast swathes of Wales, leaving customers and small businesses with lengthy journeys and inconvenience to the next nearest branch. It will make life incredibly difficult for small traders who need to bank at the end of a working day.

“NatWest is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group and is 80% owned by the UK Government. The Government therefore has a duty to ensure that the bank it owns does not abandon many important towns and leave them without a bank in some cases. As is the case with pubs, there needs to be some kind of regulation to ensure that companies cannot just withdraw at will.”

The closure of the 11 banks across North Wales follows on from a similar pattern of Natwest closures across the country, with the bank noting the decisions have been made including branch usage and the alternative ways that customers can use the services.

Natwest are currently contacting users of the facilities to inform them of the changes.

Speaking about the announcement, Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: “NatWest have explained to me the actions they’re taking to lessen the impact of the closure, such as introducing a mobile branch service and investing and improving their branch in Wrexham town centre.

“However, this is disappointing news for the local community. Whilst I understand there are changing customer trends and new ways of banking, I remain concerned at the potential impact on the local businesses and residents who prefer a face-to-face service.

“I have written to NatWest seeking job reassurances for the local team at Rossett, as well as underlining their responsibility to continue to support their customers and the community as best they can.”