THE Stretford branch of Natwest Bank is to close.

The bank, which is located on Kingsway, is to close its doors on November 25 due to declining numbers of transactions being made at the branch.

A spokesman for Natwest said the number of transactions taking place at the Stretford branch has fallen by 15 per cent during the past few years.

"Over our whole branch network there has been a 30 per cent drop in branch transactions since 2010 as people do their banking where and when it is convenient for them, whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by over 200 per cent," said the spokesman.

"When we close a branch, we take a number of factors into account including usage and alternative ways to bank with us in the local area.

"We've taken a number of measures to ensure that our customers will still have access to banking in the area."

A s such, Natwest has come to an agreement with the nearby Post Office by which customers prefer to be served over-the-counter can withdraw cash and check balances free of charge.

In the coming months they will also be able to pay money in and businesses will be able to get coinage.

The bank will also lift Basic Bank Account ATM restrictions for active customers of the Stretford branch so that they can use all other ATMs.

The nearest Natwest branch is 1.4 miles away in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.

The spokesman added: "Our branches are still very important to us and we’ll continue to have one of the largest branch networks in the UK.

"EIghty per cent of our customers are within a three mile radius of a branch, and when you include the Post Office network that rises to 90 per cent of our customers being within one mile of a place where they can carry out their every day banking.

"Overall, we are investing over £1bn over the next few years to give customers greater choice in how they bank with us, such as improving our online and mobile banking and upgrading over 400 branches across the UK."