Bank customers in Sandbach are set to have two choices when the town's two remaining banks close their branches.

Lloyds Bank is closing its branch in Sandbach on December 5th and NatWest announced yesterday (Thursday) that it was closing on February 8th.

Both say visits have fallen dramatically as customers choose to bank on-line rather than go into the branch.

NatWest, also in Hightown, Sandbach announced it is closing in February

When both have closed, residents will either have the choice of the Nationwide Building Society in Sandbach or the Post Office or travelling to Crewe.

Government High Streets Task Force expert and ShopAppy founder, Dr Jackie Mulligan, is disappointed with the news NatWest is closing 43 branches.

 "This is such disappointing news from a bank that has always been part of the UK's high streets and has championed the small businesses that trade on them," said Dr Mulligan

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"Their 'Tomorrow Begins Today' advertising slogan feels a little bit redundant now. For most small businesses in town centres, this will put a lot more uncertainty into their tomorrows.

"Banks provide services and employment in communities, which drives footfall and custom to our much-loved high streets across the country.

"Tomorrow for NatWest feels like a virtual one now and that will be a blow to many small high street businesses at a time when they least need more uncertainty."

So what has prompted Lloyds and NatWest to pull the plug on Sandbach?

Sign which greeted customers at Lloyds Bank in Sandbach

Lloyds Bank says visits to the Hightown branch in Sandbach have fallen by 69 per cent since 2017.

Lloyds Bank spokesperson: "Visits to our Sandbach branch have fallen over recent years, as many customers now choose to bank in different ways.

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"When the branch closes in December, customers can continue to bank in person with us at the Crewe branch, or the local Post Office on Georges Walk."

Lloyds Bank in Hightown, Sandbach

Lloyds say 83 per cent of its personal customers already use other ways of banking such as over the phone or internet banking.

NatWest say there were 51 per cent fewer counter transactions in the Sandbach branch this year compared with January 2019.

In 2021, the bank says 72 per cent of personal customers using the Sandbach branch also chose to use on-line banking.

They also say that the branch was only used by 157 business customers on a regular basis last year.