A 'bank on wheels' from NatWest will visit Fakenham at least once a week after it shuts its brick-and-mortar branch there, an MP has said. 

Jerome Mayhew, Broadland MP, said the visits should go some way to making up for the planned closure of the banking giant's Market Place branch on August 10.

Mr Mayhew said: "NatWest has committed to a permanent provision of a full mobile banking service in Fakenham on Wednesday afternoons, when the post office is closed, and they will look into adding Thursday market day as well.”   

Mr Mayhew - alongside district councillors Tom Fitzpatrick, Christopher Cushing, and Liz Vickers - recently met the bank's regional director.

North Norfolk News: NatWest on Market Place and, Bridge Street, Corner, in FakenhamNatWest on Market Place and, Bridge Street, Corner, in Fakenham (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Mr Mayhew added: “Whilst we have to accept that the way most people do their banking has radically changed over the last few years, older and more vulnerable customers are at risk of being left behind, so it is important that banks go the extra mile to look after these loyal customers.  

“The bank has agreed to give personal, one-to-one coaching to every single customer who currently does not use other forms of banking so that they are not left behind."

North Norfolk News: Jerome Mayhew the member of parliament for BroadlandJerome Mayhew the member of parliament for Broadland (Image: David Holbrook)

READ MORE: Fakenham mayor says banks closure is a blow for town

Mr Mayhew said NatWest has joined forces with the Post Office to provide face-to-face banking services. However, Fakenham's permanent Post Office branch closed in January 2020.

A 'pop-up' branch has been operating in an empty unit in Millar's Walk since February that year, amid a search for a more permanent premises. 

Mr Mayhew said: “We want to use this additional income source for the Post Office to make the case for long-term investment in Fakenham so that we can have a permanent post office."

The town's HSBC branch is also set to close, on May 23.

It has been suggested the building currently housing the HSBC branch could become the new post office.

North Norfolk News: The NatWest branch in Fakenham is closing on August 10, 2023The NatWest branch in Fakenham is closing on August 10, 2023 (Image: Aaron McMillan)