Half of banks in Wigan borough have closed in the last seven years

Half of banks in Wigan borough have closed since 2015, new figures show.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The figures were published as it was announced that Wigan had escaped the latest cull of Barclay’s branch axings.

But analysis from consumer champion Which? has shown a sharp decline in the number of bank branches open in areas across much of the UK compared to seven years ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And according to figures up to the end of April, 19 banks have been shuttered in Wigan since the start of 2015, leaving 18 remaining in the area.

The former Yorkshire Bank in Market Place, WiganThe former Yorkshire Bank in Market Place, Wigan
The former Yorkshire Bank in Market Place, Wigan

Separate figures from LINK, a cash machine network, show there has also been a decline in the number of free-to-use ATMs across the UK in recent years.

Their data shows that between the start of 2018 and early March this year, the number of ATMs in Wigan, Makerfield and Leigh dropped from 238 to 174.

One of the most recent departures was the prominently positioned Yorkshire Bank branch in Wigan town centre which shut in March last year, customers being told their nearest counters would then be in St Helens and Preston.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It remains empty, although some former banks are being put to new use. For instance former rugby star Lee Mossop has converted several into coffee bars.

The increasing use of online banking and contactless payments have led to concerns some will be left behind, or unable to access key services.

Which? chief executive, Anabel Hoult, said: “While the pandemic has accelerated the move to digital payments for many consumers, many are not yet ready to make that switch and require protection from an avalanche of ATM and bank branch closures that have left the UK’s cash system at risk of collapse.”

A bill to protect access to cash was announced as part of the Queen’s Speech in May.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Treasury says the new legislation will ensure “continued access to withdrawal and deposit facilities across the UK”.

Economic secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said: “We know that access to cash is still vital for many people, especially those in vulnerable groups.

“We promised we would protect it, and through this bill we are delivering on that promise.”

Full details on what will be included are yet to be published.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Which? welcomed the bill but said it “must ensure that clear requirements are placed on industry to meet communities’ need for cash”.

Its data found that nearly half (48 per cent) of bank branches across the UK have closed since the start of 2015, and seven constituencies have seen every one of their bank branches closed in recent years.

And LINK says that over 13,500 free-to-use ATMs have been cut from the UK’s network – a quarter of the 54,500 in operation at the start of 2018.

Recent research by the Royal Society of Arts estimates 10 million people in the UK would struggle in a cashless society.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The research suggests the elderly and those in areas with poor mobile or broadband connectivity have suffered most in the move to digital banking.

RSA researcher Mark Hall said: “For millions of people, their relationship with cash is critical to the way they manage their weekly budget.

“It’s vital that the dash to digital doesn’t disenfranchise anyone, especially with the cost-of-living crisis putting such significant strain on family finances right now.”

Related topics: