NatWest has announced that it’ll be closing a further 52 bank branches throughout 2025, and Greater Manchester will be affected.
In what is set to be another blow to the already-struggling high street, NatWest has confirmed that it will be closing down another 52 branches before 2025 is out, bringing its total closures across the UK to a significant 105.
Dozens of regions nationwide are set to be affected by the closures this year, including here in Greater Manchester.
This year’s closures follow the dozens that shut in 2024, although our region – and the North West in general – appeared to escape quite lightly from that cull, with only the Tameside town of Stalybridge losing its branch in July, but in 2025, we aren’t set to be so lucky as eight branches are shutting up shop, and some have already gone.
Manchester city centre, Stockport, and Urmston are just a couple of the local areas where closures are starting to take place.
ADVERTISEMENT
NatWest to close dozens more bank branches in 2025 / Credit: PickPik
NatWest said the closures reflect the general shift to online banking, with more than 80% of its current account holders now using digital services instead of in-person, and the majority of new accounts opened online.
The company added that more than £20m will be invested in its UK network next year, including upgrades to branches that are still open, support through Post Offices and banking hubs, and pop-up services in some areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Greater Manchester NatWest branches closing in 2025
Farnworth, Bolton – 15/05/25
Manchester Portland Street – 11/06/25
Middleton – 30/04/25
Rochdale – 10/06/25
Trafford Park – 20/05/25
Hazel Grove, Stockport – 19/06/25
Heaton Chapel, Stockport – 03/06/25
Urmston – 13/05/25
“Like any business, we strive to meet our customers’ changing needs and expectations,” NatWest commented on the closure announcements, “and we’ve been responding to the industry-wide shift towards digital services by investing to broaden what customers can do themselves and to offer them greater personalisation.
“We recognise, however, that some people still need help to adapt, particularly our vulnerable customers.
“Our customer support specialists proactively contact branch users who we know may need additional support when a branch closes and, where there’s a need, we install community pop-ups to help customers become familiar with alternative banking services.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2025 
