A BRADFORD branch of NatWest is to close its doors next year. 

The bank's branch on New Line, Greengates, will shut on February 21, it has been confirmed.

Eighteen other branches across will also close - the latest tranche of hundreds of banks that have closed in recent years.

The business said it will shut 17 NatWest branches and one Royal Bank of Scotland branch.

The NatWest branches are mainly spread across England.

All the NatWest sites will close in either the latter part of February or early March, the bank said.

There has been a massive exodus of branches from the high street in recent years.

So far in 2023 alone, banks have announced the closure of 578 branches across the UK.

The largest number of closures announced this year have been Barclays branches. The bank has said 185 of its sites are set to shut.

NatWest is second with 116 branches, followed by Lloyds (112), Halifax (72), Virgin Money (40), Bank of Scotland (28), Ulster Bank (10), TSB (nine), RBS (five), and Nationwide (one).

It comes as the average number of transactions made over the counter at NatWest Group branches fell 60 per cent.

NatWest said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.

“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no-one is left behind.

“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”

Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a campaign in a bid to stop the closure of the Greengates branch. 

“This is the last remaining bank in Idle and Thackley Ward and is heavily used by local people and businesses," said Cllr Alun Griffiths (Idle and Thackley).

"For the NatWest to suggest that local people travel to the centre of Bradford to use a bank is frankly outrageous.

Cllr Brendan Stubbs (Eccleshill) added: “The bank is used by lots of older people and businesses. Greengates has lots of local businesses who use the bank to pay in their cash takings.

"Business is tough enough without NatWest making it more difficult.”

An online petition and the councillors will be knocking on the doors of local people to ask their views, they said.