Natwest to close Ossett branch

Natwest said it had made the “difficult decision” to shut the branch on Station Road on Tuesday, October 20.

Bosses claimed the rise in online banking had caused the number of customers using its services to significantly fall.

Three members of staff working at the branch will be redeployed in the company.

Ossett councillor Tony Richardson said: “I think it is absolutely disgraceful that Ossett will be losing the bank just as the town is starting to move forward again.

“There is lots of activity in the town so to lose the bank facility is not a good sign.

“Natwest customers who want to do in-house banking will have to travel to Wakefield city centre, which is very disappointing.”

The bank said once the branch closes customers will be able to check their balance, deposit and withdraw funds, and business customers can get coinage at post offices in the town.

A Natwest spokesman said: “Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank with them such as online and mobile banking.

“We are writing to all of our customers who use the branch, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure.

“We will engage with all of our customers, businesses and the wider community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking.”

There are a number of other banks in the town including Yorkshire Bank on Station Road and Barclays on Bank Street.