Middleton Faces Banking Void as Halifax Announces January Closure

Middleton, Greater Manchester - The town of Middleton is set to experience the complete cessation of traditional brick-and-mortar banking services in just a matter of months, as Halifax has announced the closure of its Middleton Gardens branch. The closure, scheduled for January 8th, 2026, will leave the town without a physical bank presence, marking a significant shift in how residents manage their finances.

The Halifax branch was the last remaining bank in Middleton after Natwest on Long Street closed its doors permanently in April of this year. Bank officials have attributed the impending closure of the Halifax branch to a widespread change in customer behaviour, with an increasing number of people opting for digital and online banking methods over in-person transactions.

While Middleton's banking landscape is set to become a digital-first environment, customers are not entirely without support. The Halifax branch in nearby Oldham will remain open, and a banking hub in Heywood is also available to serve customers from the Middleton area.

This upcoming closure signifies the end of an era for face-to-face banking in Middleton. However, a limited alternative service is still accessible. A pop-up Barclays Local operates three days a week at the Lighthouse Project Community Hub, located within the Middleton Shopping Centre. This initiative aims to provide some level of in-person assistance for essential banking needs.

Meanwhile, the former Natwest bank building on Long Street, which has stood vacant since its closure in the spring, has seen a proposed development. Plans have already been submitted to convert the building into a church, signalling a repurposing of a once-familiar financial landmark.

The closure of Halifax represents a final chapter in Middleton's history of immediate access to traditional banking facilities, prompting a need for residents to adapt to an increasingly digital-first financial world.