Fury as bank closes last branch for miles

CAMPAIGNERS reacted with fury yesterday as NatWest prepared to close the last remaining bank in the whole of the Peak District.

- Robert Kellaway

The Bakewell branch in Derbyshire will shut on February 22, after which there will be no banks anywhere in the 555 square-mile national park.

Customers requiring banking services will have to rely on post offices, where some are on offer.

NatWest has closed more branches since 2015 than any other operator, with 1,329 lost across the country. Bakewell is among 19 branches scheduled to be axed this year and next.

Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann, who backs the Daily Express's Save Our High Street Banks campaign, said the move was particularly disappointing as NatWest is still 39% taxpayerowned after it was bailed out in 2008.