Greenwich branch of Nat West to close
The great retrenchment of High Street banks continues as Nat West announce plans to close their Greenwich branch.
The closure date is set for 22nd February 2024.
Like many High Street banks it’s a fine old building and in the recent past many of these were taken over by chain restaurants or pubs.
Costs
Though it’s not cheap to convert such a building, hence why the big players normally took them on. But much like banks, many chains are in retreat.
And yet, Greenwich town centre still lacks many half decent chains seen all over London. There’s no Pho. No Turtle Bay.
So perhaps that will be its fate. Or a pub. Not another Young’s pub though please.
If it’s an independent then great, though given costs to convert and likely rent levels that’s a long shot. So a chain is probably likely, so we can hope it’s not one of the bland ones.
Though whatever does open they won’t be short of footfall, so hopefully we don’t see it lying vacant for years to come.
This is bad news for Greenwich town centre.
NatWest was the last bank in the town centre following the closure of HSBC a few years back.
The Post Office temporarily relocated to Burney St still offers banking services which is helpful.
This will be another empty building to join other prominent sites including the former Rivingtons Restaurant on Greenwich High Road now looking in a sorry state of disrepair .
Plus there is the unused former market site next to Rivingtons.
Both sites have been empty for nearly four years.
Just what is the Council doing to help Greenwich Town Centre ?
Not much by the looks of it .
Greenwich will now join Blackheath Village where there is no banking following the departure of Barclays. There is also a dearth of cash machines so if you are caught short, hard luck.
Death of another town centre! Physical banks do not serve a purpose anymore but the large properties they leave behind often lie empty for years. People need to reclaim their high street. Support your local businesses rather than buying everything through Amazon and ordering from Deliveroo. Lack of companionship and laziness are to blame if you ask me.
The banks have pushed online banking so that it can claim there is no demand for a high street presence, but some businesses have also embraced electronic payments to avoid having to deal with large quantities of cash.