MP Sarah Champion: RBS axe in Rotherham "will be devastating for town"

MP Sarah Champion has written to RBS Group to express her dismay at the axe of the Rotherham town centre branch of RBS.

The bank has announced the closure of 162 RBS-branded branches across England and Wales, with the loss of around 792 jobs.

Rotherham’s High Street branch will close in November.

The Meadowhall branch will also shut.

Ms Champion said in an open letter to the bank: “I am very disappointed to hear you are closing our branch.

“Not only does this decision take access and choice away from customers, it also weakens the overall offer of our town centre.  

“I appreciate that you have to make commercial decisions, but the impact of this will be devastating to our town. 

“I would be grateful if you could keep me informed of how you are helping customers with the transition.”

RBS Group, which also runs NatWest, said it had reviewed its overall branch strategy and found more customers were banking by mobile phone or online — with branch transactions down 30 per cent in four years.

A spokeswoman said RBS customers would be able to use NatWest branches and services

“We will be proactively contacting our vulnerable customers to let them know about these changes as soon as possible and will allow plenty of time to give them the help and support they will need,” she said.

RBS Group announced last December that Dinnington’s NatWest branch was set for the axe.