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.
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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.
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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
Student police officer charged with off-duty rape and kidnap of woman in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A student police officer has been charged with the rape and kidnap of a woman in Manchester while he was off duty.
Mohammad Hassan, 23-years-old and of Asian-Pakistani ethnicity, has been remanded in custody following the charges, and has been suspended Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
The charges – which have been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following a police investigation – relate to reports made to authorities on the evening of Saturday 8 August 2026, which ended in a police pursuit on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
Following the police pursuit, a woman was safeguarded at the scene, and continues to be supported by specialist officers and support services.
Hassan has been charged with oral rape, kidnap, strangulation, sexual assault, theft of mobile phone, and dangerous driving.
He is set to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (11 August).
“GMP detectives and staff have been working on this investigation throughout the last 48 hours to ensure charges are brought in this case,” explained GMP Assistant Chief Constable, Mark Dexter.
“The victim is our priority, and we are ensuring she continues to receive specialist support. Criminal proceedings must now take its course without interference.
“I understand, and share, the feeling among the public and our thousands of hard-working, decent staff who will have seen this news. Proceedings are underway and necessary action will be decisively taken within the regulations.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation to open in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation is set to open its doors in Manchester very soon.
Since it was first founded in Los Angeles all the way back in 2009, Reformation has gone on to become one of the largest sustainable womenswear brands on the planet, and is now known and loved for making beautiful, timeless apparel and accessories that aim to ‘inspire confidence’ across life stages and occasions.
Operating on a business model that pairs a smart approach to merchandising with a responsive supply chain, Reformation now operates more than 70 retail stores across the US, UK, Canada, and France.
At the heart of the Reformation story is a genuine commitment to ‘doing things differently’.
Since day one, sustainability has been woven into everything the brand makes – from the eco-certified fabrics and responsible factories, to its famously transparent sustainability reports.
Currently, Reformation has five UK stores to its name – but, it may come as no surprise to fans of the brand that they’re all in London.
That’s why the news of this new Manchester opening is such a big deal.
Set to be the label’s first UK store outside of the capital, Reformation has secured a prime spot on King Street in the heart of the city centre, and although there’s no confirmed opening date as of yet, if the shop windows saying ‘Summer 2026’ are anything to go by, we can only imagine it’ll be very soon.
“For Manchester, it’s a landmark moment, and for King Street, it’s the latest signal that this is one of the UK’s most exciting retail destinations,” a spokesperson for King Street said in a statement.
Stay tuned for details on opening dates to be announced in due course.
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2025 
