'I am troubled about the impact this closure would have': MP's urgent meeting and petition over Halifax bank closure
Halifax’s MP has launched a petition protesting against the closure of a Halifax bank.
Kate Dearden says she shares residents’ concerns at the planned shutting of NatWest’s Halifax town centre branch – the bank’s last remaining one in Calderdale.
She has written to NatWest’s CEO raising the issue and says she is holding an urgent meeting with the bank.
"I share residents’ concern about the potential impact this closure could have on vulnerable local residents who need face-to-face interaction, and I need local residents’ support to show the strength of feeling against this decision,” she said.
"NatWest also remains an important part of Halifax’s town centre. I am troubled about the impact this closure would have on our town centre including the impact on footfall for businesses.
"The building it occupies is Grade II listed, and I know residents will also be disappointed to see this building vacant.”
In her letter, she asks what measures are being taken to support customers who cannot bank online and also highlights the plight of staff currently working at the Halifax branch.
She is urging people to sign her petition objecting to the closure, which can be found at https://kateforhalifax.com/sign-to-save-halifaxs-natwest-branch/
The Courier reported earlier this month how NatWest had announced it is closing its branch on Waterhouse Street on June 18.
The next nearest branches are in Bradford, Leeds or Huddersfield.
NatWest has said: “With the ease of mobile and online banking fewer people are coming into the bank. This means we’ve had to make some tough choices about which can stay open.
“So, we want to make sure that we keep the branches people are using most.”
The firm said closing a branch “is always difficult”.
The Halifax branch saw a 56 per cent decrease in counter transactions for customers between October 2019 and October 2025, it added.
Of those customers using the branch, 76 per cent were also using online banking or the NatWest app.
Only last month, NatWest was granted planning permission by Calderdale Council to reconfigure and refurbish the cash machines inside its Grade II listed branch building.
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