Town centre bank used by just 13 customers among latest raft of closures

A bank has confirmed plans to shut another branch later this year – after it emerged just 13 customers used it on a weekly basis last year.

NatWest in Ramsgate High Street is the latest to see its closure confirmed in Kent.

In leaflets explaining the closure, bosses behind the decision claim “tough choices” need to be made in response to changing habits in the industry – with the last day of business set to be August 8.

Statistics offered by NatWest suggest just 13 personal banking customers made use of the Ramsgate branch weekly in 2023 while 171 businesses used counter services monthly.

It says: “With the ease of mobile and online banking fewer people are coming into the bank. This means we’ve had to make some tough choices about which can stay open.

“We will introduce a community pop-up following closure that will be based in a community venue near to the closing branch. This service will be available for up to 12 weeks.”

It is claimed between January 2019 and January 2023 counter transactions reduced by 60% while the number of customers using mobile apps increased by 49%.

NatWest users’ nearest service will now be in Cecil Square, Margate and the Post Office can also be used for transactions.

In January, Barclays confirmed it too had plans to leave Ramsgate – with April 19 being eyed up as the final trading day for the Queen Street branch.

Elsewhere in the county, small businesses in Strood slammed the “terrible” decision by Natwest and Lloyds Banks to shut its town centre branches this year.

NatWest closed on March 6 while Lloyds will close on April 4.

The bank is also set to shut in Rainham - where there were just two weekly customers last year - Larkfield, Dover and Paddock Wood in July, while the Gravesend branch will close in August.