Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has visited NatWest bank in Uckfield to speak to its management team about the upcoming branch closure and urge them to provide support for customers who are unable to switch to online banking.
Earlier in the autumn, NatWest announced it was closing 43 branches across Britain as a result of more customers moving to online banking. With average counter transactions at the branch reducing by 59% between 2019-2022, Uckfield is one of the branches affected and will be closing on 8 March 2023.
Nusrat was keen to ensure that arrangements are put in place prior to the closure, so that Uckfield customers and businesses using the branch receive all the necessary support. NatWest confirmed that they were contacting all its vulnerable customers to offer them support and make sure that they are not left behind. A dedicated support line is open for customers who are over 60, which is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week, at 0800 051 4176.
Additionally, an event will be held at the Uckfield branch on 25 January 2023 at 3:30-4:30pm, where NatWest Customer Support Specialists will be able to provide customers with additional support and answer their queries.
From March 2023 the nearest NatWest branches will be in Haywards Heath, East Grinstead or Tunbridge Wells. However, a variety of services such as taking out cash, checking balance or making a deposit are also available at local Post Office branches on Uckfield High Street, in Ridgewood and in Maresfield.
For additional support, customer can also get in touch with NatWest via a dedicated Customer Support on 0131 380 6528.
Nusrat Ghani said: “From my surgeries, meetings, and casework, I know how disappointing the closure of the Uckfield branch is to local residents. While I appreciate that the nature of banking is changing, I am concerned about the impact of this closure on vulnerable and elderly customers who do not necessarily have access to online banking and who rely on being able to get to a local branch. I am keen to ensure that NatWest do all they can to help their customers with a smooth transition and I am pleased that various measures such as a dedicated phone help line and arrangements with the Post Office have been put in place to ensure that vulnerable customers are not left behind.”
