More than two in five Mansfield banks closed since 2015

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 with seven years ago.

According to figures up to the end of April, six banks have been shuttered in Mansfield since the start of 2015, such as NatWest in Mansfield Woodhouse, leaving eight remaining in the area.

In Ashfield, nine have closed since the start of 2015 – including Kirkby’s last bank, Lloyds, in February – leaving six remaining in the area.

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.

Its data shows that between the start of 2018 and early March this year, the number of ATMs in Mansfield dropped from 100 to 87 and in Ashfield from 74 to 63.

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

Anabel Hoult, Which? chief executive, 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.

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

John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “We know 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.

Requirements

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 nearly half 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 more than 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 that 10 million people in the UK would struggle in a cashless society.

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

Mark Hall, a researcher with the RSA, 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.”