Pandemic blamed for planned closure of city-centre bank

The Co-operative Bank is planning to cut 350 jobs and closes 18 branches across the country, including Wakefield's on Providence Street.

The reduction in roles is expected to focus on middle management and head office positions.

Where possible, the bank will look to redeploy colleagues into alternative posts.

Chief executive Andrew Bester said: "Unfortunately, we're not immune to the impact of recent events, with the historically low base rate affecting the income of all banks and a period of prolonged economic uncertainty ahead, which means it's important we reduce costs and have the right-sized operating model in place for the future.

"At the same time, we are responding to the continuing shift of more and more customers choosing to bank online, with lower levels of transactions in branches, a trend which has been increasing for some time, across the banking sector and more broadly."

The planned branch closures - which are expected to complete by 1 December 2020 - have been selected following careful analysis of individual footfall over a 12-month period prior to the start of lockdown.