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NATWEST is pulling down the shutters on 55 more bank branches in a blow to the high street.

The bank has confirmed it will shutter dozens of branches over the coming months.

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NatWest will pull down the shutters on more branches[/caption]

Locations will shut for good across the UK including in Torquay, Birmingham and Abingdon.

Further branches will close in Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Northampton.

It comes just months after NatWest said it would close 53 bank branches in 2025.

The major bank has already slashed its branch portfolio in recent years.

NatWest has more than 19million customers and it says over 3.5million customers use online banking.

Last year Natwest Group closed 48 sites and in 2023 it shuttered nearly 20 branches.

Since 2015, NatWest Group, which encompasses NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,409 branches.

Following the confirmation of the latest round of closures, a spokesperson for NatWest said more customers “than ever before” were using digital banking.

They said: “Over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services and over 97% of retail accounts with us are now opened online.

“Our customers appreciate the speed and convenience of digital banking for everyday transactions, and often, when it comes to making bigger, more complex decisions they value speaking to our skilled and experienced colleagues.”

They added: “We expect to invest over £20m in our network across the UK in 2025 to improve customer service, enhance the look and feel of our branches, and reduce the environmental impact of our buildings, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and Banking Hubs.

“We will also provide temporary support for transitions to our new network in selected locations through our 12-week Community Pop-Ups.”

The latest round of closures from NatWest comes as other big banks shutter hundreds of branches between them.

According to Which?, around 6,100 bank and building society branches have closed since January 2015 across the UK.

This is equivalent to 61% of branches that existed 10 years ago.

Banks have cited reduced customer footfall and a trend towards digital banking as two of the main reasons for closing branches.

But the loss of sites on the high street can cause a headache for locals who still require a physical branch.

Research has found around 39% of people over 65 did not use online banking and were at “high risk of financial exclusion“.

While a survey conducted by Which? last year found more than half of disabled or impaired people had negatively been impacted by bank closures.

What to do if your local bank branch closes

If a recent bank or building society closure has left you without one nearby, you have some alternatives.

You can carry out most basic banking tasks at your nearest Post Office, although you won’t be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account there.

You can find your nearest Post Office branch by using the locator tool on its website.

Some banks offer a mobile banking service – a bus that comes to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch.

Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.

It’s worth contacting your bank to see what services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.

If you’re thinking about giving online banking a go, comparison website Uswitch has a useful guide on all the need to knows.

You could also switch your current account to a bank or building society that has branches closer to you.

You can switch current accounts for free, in most cases, through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

A BUS driver and his “frail” wife who tragically died when their car plunged 300ft off a cliff have been identified by locals.

John and Lynn King were reportedly with their two Daschshunds when their car plummeted into Alum Bay, near to the Needles, on the Isle of Wight last Friday.

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The couple died instantly after their car plunged off the 300ft cliff[/caption]

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The couple’s silver Ford Mondeo left the road close to the world-famous coastal landmark[/caption]

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It is understood that John, who drove for a local bus company, was a full-time carer for his wife[/caption]

The couple’s silver Ford Mondeo left the road close to the world-famous coastal landmark, killing the pair instantly.

It is understood that John, who drove for local company Southern Vectis, was a full-time carer for his wife.

According to locals, Lynn had rarely been seen out the house for the past two years.

Speaking to the MailOnline, one neighbour said: “She wasn’t well, I don’t know exactly what she was suffering from but I think it was serious.

“John was effectively her carer. He was helping his wife to the car and their two Dachshund dogs were with them.

‘His wife looked really, really frail. I was surprised to see her out of the house. She was hunched over quite badly and was finding it very difficult to walk.”

Emergency services were scrambled to Alum Bay New Road, close to the coastal spot, shortly after 7.20pm on Friday.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed on Sunday that two people died in the tragedy.

The force explained: “A car, which was being driven along Alum Bay New Road, left the road, came off the cliff top and came to rest in the water below.”

Cops also closed the neighbouring Needles Landmark Attraction while emergency crews attended the site.

Responders were stood down in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, a police spokesperson said: “Formal identification has yet to take place, but their next of kin have been notified.

“As part of the ongoing investigation into the incident, on behalf of the coroner, officers have been carrying out enquiries at an address on Arctic Road, Cowes.”

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Cops closed the Needles Landmark Attraction while emergency crews attended the scene[/caption]

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Emergency services were scrambled to Alum Bay New Road shortly after 7.20pm on Friday[/caption]

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Responders were stood down in the early hours of Saturday morning[/caption]

ARSENAL could see their move for Benjamin Sesko sensationally hijacked by Al-Hilal – who want to sign the striker TODAY.

The Gunners have made 6ft 5in Sesko their No1 target in the summer transfer window and last week approached RB Leipzig for talks.

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Benjamin Sesko is wanted by Saudi Pro League’s Al-Hilal[/caption]

But the North Londoners – who have been told the Slovenian frontman will cost close to £70million – are yet to make an opening bid.

Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal are ready to turn their attention to the forward after missing out on Victor Osimhen.

And according to Sky Sports, they could make their move TODAY to try and sign Sesko before the deadline to have him at the Club World Cup.

The expanded 32-team tournament kicks off on Sunday – but players must be registered by 7pm TONIGHT.

It would come as a huge blow to Arsenal, who have led the race to sign Sesko over the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Al-Hilal looked set to sign ex-Napoli star Osimhen – who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray.

But the Nigerian international – who helped Galatasaray win the league – rejected a stunning £650,000-a-week deal from the Saudi champions.

Galatasaray are now believed to be favourites to sign Osimhen – who scored 26 goals in 30 league matches on loan.

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Sesko meanwhile finished his campaign with 21 goals in 45 matches to catch the attention of Europe’s elite.

And he topped Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s summer shopping list as the Spaniard looks to recruit a new No9.

But Al-Hilal’s deep pockets and desperate bid to take a striker to the Club World Cup marks huge competition for Arteta’s Gunners.

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Victor Osimhen rejected a move to Al-Hilal[/caption]

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Roman Abramovich has broken his silence on the pain of being forced to sell Chelsea as a consequence of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Three years after the Russian billionaire was forced to cut ties with the Premier League club, the British government are still threatening to go to to court to ensure the proceeds reached victims of the conflict in Ukraine.

Abramovich was sanctioned in the wake of Russia’s invasion in 2022 and sold two-time Champions League winner Chelsea to a consortium fronted by Americans Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for £2.5 billion in May of that year.

In a new book, ‘Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC’ the 58-year-old, who funded and presided over two decades of unprecedented success at Stamford Bridge, addresses the pain of effectively being ousted from his position.

When asked on Chelsea and the future, Abramovich said: ‘Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.

‘I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.

‘There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.

‘But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.’

Abramovich said before the sale that net proceeds would go to a charitable foundation “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.”

But the money remained frozen in a bank and the British government said it was still to make its way to those in need.

A joint statement by Treasury chief Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy earliest this month confirmed the government was ready to mount legal action.

‘The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far,’ they said.

‘While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.’

Abramovich was sanctioned when the British government targeted what then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss described as ‘oligarchs and kleptocrats’ with close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and ‘complicit in his aggression.’

The funds from the sale, however, still belong to Abramovich even though they are frozen. They cannot be used or moved without the issue of a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.

In the soon to be released book, Abramovich also said he would not allow himself to be distracted by the accusations towards him

‘There is an old Russian saying, ‘The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,’ and that fits here,’ he also told the book’s author, Nick Purewal. 

‘Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.’

Arsenal have agreed a new transfer fee to sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of Real Madrid, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta has made Zubimendi, 26, one of his top transfer targets this summer.

The Real Sociedad star came close to joining Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Liverpool last year but ended up rejecting the move.

Arsenal began working on a deal for Zubimendi earlier in the year and were believed to be leading the race for his signature.

But Real Madrid have continued to express interest in the Spaniard and recent reports claimed Xabi Alonso was planning a ‘final offensive’ to beat Arsenal to a deal.

Alonso is a known admirer of Zubimendi and reportedly wants to bring him to the Bernabeu as one of his first Real Madrid signings.

The issue for Arsenal is that reports in Spain claim Zubimendi is in fact considering snubbing the Gunners in favour of a move to Madrid.

Zubimendi is said to be keen to remain in Spain and has always dreamed of playing for Los Blancos. He also has a healthy relationship with Alonso, who previously managed Real Sociedad B.

But The Athletic say Arsenal still expect to welcome Zubimendi to the Emirates Stadium this summer and regard the deal as being ‘done and signed’.

Zubimendi is therefore expected to link up with Arteta’s squad for pre-season and the delay is only due to Real Sociedad’s preference for the transfer to be ratified in July for accounting purposes.

The midfielder has a release clause worth £51m but it is claimed Arsenal have agreed to pay even more – £55m – in order to pay for the deal in instalments rather than a lump sum.

Why Arsenal want Martin Zubimendi

Zubimendi has made 236 appearances for boyhood club Real Sociedad and established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga over the past three seasons.

He is also a key player for Spain, helping Luis de la Fuente’s side become European champions last summer and reach the recent Nations League final.

Zubimendi scored Spain’s opener in Sunday’s final but Portugal twice came from behind to force penalties and triumphed in the shootout.

Arteta is desperate to bring Zubimendi to north London after Jorginho left the club to return to Brazil, while Thomas Partey could also be heading for the exit door.

Partey is open to staying at Arsenal but is yet to sign a new deal – his current contract expires in a matter of weeks – and has attracted interest from several European clubs.

Zubimendi’s arrival will give £105m signing Declan Rice a freer role in the Arsenal team and push him further up the pitch alongside Gunners captain Martin Odegaard.

While chasing Zubimendi, Arsenal are also targeting a new striker and have expressed interest in big-money deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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