High street Bank closures...

DampDog

DampDog

DampDog

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2010
Posts
2,678
Location
North Staffs
Mini rant really..

Seems there is no end to the list of continuing Bank closures. Locally we've lost another 3 over the weekend. (Barclays X2, Natwest X1) Closest branch to me is now Hanley/Newcastle (Stokie) neither is a town centre you'd wish on your worst enemy. Basically druggies, drunks, vagrants and boarded up buildings. Natwest alone have closed Kidsgrove, Alsager, Tunstall, Bidulph, Sandbach. Plus all the other Banks have followed suit.

I don't know if it's a deliberate plan to bring cash transactions to an end or just rabid cost cutting by the banks? But it's wrecking the local economy in some places. There are tons on little weekend markets that have just vanished. Almost all the little towns around the Potteries had a weekend market of some sort for decades. Places that were bustling with people are now either dead or dying. Internet shopping has also wiped out what was a nation of shop-keepers. I'm sure it must be replicated across the UK. The Post-Office stopped doing current accounts a while back so I moved my ole mum's account to the Bank instead. Now they vanish by the day. She's become dependent on favours/fiends to get into town. It's OK say well you don't need a bank just use card but loads off old folk still like to use cash-money because it's what they know. I feel sorry for upcoming generation as they will think it's always been ***** like this. Not that these little high streets were once packed with folk.
 
I can't remember the last time I went into a branch. Even mortgage application was done via video.

I guess if you need cash for a tub of farrow and ball, or a gucci belt, that's too much for a cash machine

Can't she use a cash machine? Still see plenty of them around.
 
Last edited:
It was always going to happen when banking was moved online. I can do everything on the app or online now, haven't been into a branch in the past 10 years.

My main bank is Starling who don't have branches. If I need to pay cash in I can use the post office.
 
Last edited:
n111ck said:
Surely the banks shut because not enough people use them to make them financially viable?

can’t remember the last time I needed one - on the odd occasion I get a cheque you can just scan it via the app..
Click to expand...
That's definitely the case for some branches. However in particular one of the branches they closed over the weekend was never less than queueing out the door. I've literally never been in when it was empty. As other local branches closed, it became the goto branch for lots of traders and such, which meant it was very well used. I'm astonished it's been closed, hence my little hissy-fit/rant.
 
DampDog said:
Mini rant really..

Seems there is no end to the list of continuing Bank closures. Locally we've lost another 3 over the weekend. (Barclays X2, Natwest X1) Closest branch to me is now Hanley/Newcastle (Stokie) neither is a town centre you'd wish on your worst enemy. Basically druggies, drunks, vagrants and boarded up buildings. Natwest alone have closed Kidsgrove, Alsager, Tunstall, Bidulph, Sandbach. Plus all the other Banks have followed suit.

I don't know if it's a deliberate plan to bring cash transactions to an end or just rabid cost cutting by the banks? But it's wrecking the local economy in some places. There are tons on little weekend markets that have just vanished. Almost all the little towns around the Potteries had a weekend market of some sort for decades. Places that were bustling with people are now either dead or dying. Internet shopping has also wiped out what was a nation of shop-keepers. I'm sure it must be replicated across the UK. The Post-Office stopped doing current accounts a while back so I moved my ole mum's account to the Bank instead. Now they vanish by the day. She's become dependent on favours/fiends to get into town. It's OK say well you don't need a bank just use card but loads off old folk still like to use cash-money because it's what they know. I feel sorry for upcoming generation as they will think it's always been ***** like this. Not that these little high streets were once packed with folk.
Click to expand...

Welcome to your first lesson in supply and demand.
 
My Nationwide branch has a machine inside where they direct you to do all transactions, the two people behind the counter just stand there watching...
I imagine it will close eventually, just leaving a machine. It's the future.
 
Last edited:
Had to go to a bank today because I had a cheque for a whopping £8.44 sitting since May and my banking app (Nationwide) doesn't have the ability to pay in cheques. Automatic machine was broken so had to stand in a queue for 20 minutes just to pay it in. I noticed a sign promising the particular branch was guaranteed to still be there until 2026.. bit frustrating because its a bit out of the way but if it does close its 30 mins to the next closest branch. If app pay in was a thing I wouldn't have had to go but it's still good to have the option. Not sure which side of the camp I'm in because I like the convenience of app/Internet banking but it's still good to be able to go if needed..
 
Most stuff is done online and banks have always operated at times that are ******* awful for most people who work. Close at 12 at the weekend and by the time you are done working its closed in the week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom