Bank branches to shut down in May

UNHAPPY . . . Mike and Elsie Lawson at the Yorkshire Bank in Chadderton precinct.

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YORKSHIRE Bank has confirmed two of its Oldham-based branches will close in four months.

Both its Chadderton and Royton branches are set to shut their doors in May 2017 in line with national plans to reduce its network.

Resident Mike Lawson (73) said the decision was "disgraceful" and he was "in shock" after receiving the news via a letter.

He and his wife Elsie Lawson (71) have used the branch in Chadderton precinct since 1976.

Mr Lawson, of Moreton Street, said: "We transferred to Yorkshire Bank in 1976 because NatWest had closed its Chadderton branch. Thousands of people use this branch. It is disgraceful."

In September CYBG, the parent company of Yorkshire Bank, announced its branches would be reduced as part of the banks strategy to create "an integrated digital, mobile, telephone and branch service for its customers."

The Royton branch in Market Square is set to close on May 23 and with it "Royton's last hole in the wall."

Royton residents will instead have to travel the 2.7 miles to Oldham's Market Place branch.

Those who are reliant on the Chadderton branch will have to travel more than three miles to Oldham as of May 25.

Mr Lawson said: "I think the worst thing about the decision is how it will negatively affect people who do not have access to the internet.

"Banks need to start thinking about the impact of their decisions."

Posters will be placed in each of the affected branches to inform residents of the upcoming closures and letters are being sent at least 12 weeks before closures.

The Hyde and Shaw branches were closed in August 2016 after Yorkshire Bank bosses said they had become "unsustainable."

Residents who formerly used the Shaw branch have since been travelling the mile-and-a-half to Royton.

Oldham Councillor for Royton North James Larkin said: "We are all very disappointed and shocked.

"Places like NatWest had a public consultation but this has come out of nowhere.

"The bank employs around a dozen staff and I am concerned that some of the Royton residents will be without work.

"We have gone from six down to one bank in Royton and now we have no ATM left either."

The three Royton North borough councillors have written to Yorkshire Bank asking them to reconsider.

Yorkshire Bank customer banking director Gavin Opperman said: "While the decision to close any branch is never an easy one, it is important that we, in line with other banks operating in the UK market, continue to respond to changes in the way customers want to bank with us."

The bank will work alongside customers to support them through the change."