Two groups representing the vulnerable have hit out at NatWest which closes its Sandbach branch tomorrow (Wednesday) – the last bank in the town.

Age UK and Dementia Friendly Sandbach have both slammed the closure of the branch in Hightown.

Lloyds Bank across the road from NatWest, also in Hightown, closed its doors for the final time on December 5th.

NatWest say the branch is closing following a reduction in counter customers.

They say there were 51 per cent fewer counter transactions in January 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.

But many customers say they aren't familiar with on-line banking and travelling to another town to use NatWest will pose difficult.  

Sandbach resident and chair of Dementia Friendly Sandbach, Dave Whitworth, said: "I think it's disgraceful how the banking industry can abandon the most vulnerable in a community the size of Sandbach.

"They may glibly say you can bank on-line or go the nearest branch in Crewe or wherever, but consider those with dementia.

"Often they are no longer able to do stuff on-line, and they may no longer be able to drive.

"The banking industry has made them reliant on public transport or on the support of friends and family if they're able to - not exactly independent living is it?"

Mr Whitworth's views were echoed by a member of Dementia Friendly Sandbach.

"It's terrible. Where am I going to be able to get cash from a cash machine in a safe space?" said the woman.

"I'm living on my own with dementia and I feel very vulnerable."

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, which has a shop in Bold Street, Sandbach, said the scale of bank branch 'culls' nationally over recent years seemed to be getting worse.

"Not only is it been extremely damaging for many local communities nationwide but it is also a serious blow for the millions of older people who rely on them, particularly those who are not online or confident with mobile banking," she said.

"These problems are exacerbated when branch closures coincide with poor public transport locally, a lack of ATMs, substandard internet service and mobile black spots, making it extremely difficult for customers to access their money.

"With about 2.5 million older people reliant on cash and the Government legislating to protect access, it's always disappointing to see services slashed and people being left unable to manage their money.

"The new shared banking hubs are a promising development but their potential for good is being overwhelmed by the numbers of bank branch closures coming through."

NatWest say they took a range of factors into account before deciding to close the Sandbach branch,

"We wrote to all branch customers to tell them about the closure, including other ways they could bank with us and where their nearest branch, ATM and Post Office was.

"We understand that closing a branch can be difficult for some people so we always give customers at least 12 weeks' notice of closure to allow them time to consider their options.

"The notice of closure was also reinforced with a poster displayed in the branch which stated the closure date.

"In addition, we got in touch with customers who use the branch and those who may need extra support, to see what we could do to help.

"We've been able to offer advice on the easiest ways to bank in the local area and we've also been able to help those who want to get started with on-line banking."