Bolton: Royal Bank of Scotland on Deansgate to close

The Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Deansgate will be shutting its doors for the final time on October 13, having served people across the town for many years.

Staff have been told that they will be redeployed to NatWest branches but today marks the first time a public announcement has been made.

A Royal Bank of Scotland spokesperson told The Bolton News: “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.” 

The closure comes after many years of declining face-to-face contact between customers and bank staff.

RBS says that between 2018 and 2020 the average counter transactions decreased by 53 per cent but has added that this will not impact customers’ accounts or change their transactions.

Instead, services will be run from a nearby branch of NatWest, also on Deansgate, - which is part of the same group. 

Customers will also be able to access their accounts from a nearby branch of the post office.

The closure marks the latest in a long series of banks shutting across the borough, with 22 branches across different companies having closed in the borough since 2015.

This included a branch of Lloyds in Westhoughton last March that was one of 24 around the country to be closed.

This leaves just 16 bank branches still open around the borough, with some having announced that they will be reducing their opening times.

Beginning from July 23, Bolton’s branch of Santander, also on Deansgate, will only be open on half days on Saturday, between the hours of 9.30am to 12.30pm.