Yorkshire Bank announces branch closures

. Credit: Yorkshire Bank

Yorkshire Bank is to close 39 branches, with with the loss of around 200 jobs.

The company said the number of customers using bank branches for day-to-day transactions across the industry had fallen by a third since 2011, while there had been a "sharp and sustained increase in digital and mobile engagement".

These are the branches earmarked for closure between April and June:

  • Bradford, West Bowling

  • Filey

  • Goole

  • Guisborough

  • Hull, Hessle Road

  • Knottingley

  • Leeds, Central

  • Leeds, Chapel Allerton

  • Leeds, Headingley

  • Leeds, Woodsley Road

  • Newark

  • Normanton

  • Ossett

  • Pickering

  • Retford

  • Richmond

  • Ripon

  • Sheffield, Broomhill

  • Sheffield, Firth Park

  • Todmorden

The Unite union said the decision would be "deeply devastating" for employees.

National officer Rob MacGregor said: "This cost-cutting plan leaves customers with less choice for local banking.

"The union has called on the bank to give a commitment to mitigate compulsory redundancies where possible and that they will reconsider closing any bank branches that are the last bank in a town."

Yorkshire Bank said employees affected by the changes would be "fully supported".

Gavin Opperman, customer banking director, said: “While the decision to close any branch is never an easy one, it is important that we, in line with other banks operating in the UK market, continue to respond to changes in the way customers want to bank with us."