Yorkshire Bank announces plans to close nine Yorkshire-based branches

Yorkshire Bank has announced that a total of 26 branches around the UK will close this year, nine of which are in the Yorkshire region.

The branches in Yorkshire, which are set to close between July and September, are located in Batley, Thorne, Yeadon in Leeds, Parkgate in Rotherham, Heckmondwike, Ilkley, Knaresborough, Queensbury and Seacroft.

The Bank said that, wherever possible, frontline branch staff will be found roles either within other branches or elsewhere in the Bank.

Steve Fletcher, head of customer banking networks, Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, commented: “I understand this will not be welcome news for those who use these particular branches.

“These are difficult decisions but ones we must face as we try to keep up with the pace of change in the way people want to bank. We have to balance our investment to ensure we support demand where it is greatest, across mobile, online and branch services.

The Bank also announced that ten of its remaining branches in Yorkshire will extend opening hours on Saturdays, creating almost 6000 extra hours of weekend service for Yorkshire customers each year.

Steve added: “Branches remain vitally important to us, and we continue to invest in them, the services they offer and when we offer them.

“I hope that the investment we’re making in the overall quality of our branch network, the big increase in Saturday opening and the availability of other ways to bank, like local Post Office counters, will minimise the effect of this announcement for customers.”