Wychavon and NatWest have pledged to work together to secure the future of Evesham’s iconic Round House.
The bank announced this week it would be closing the town’s branch, which is housed in the Grade I listed building, sometime in 2026 due to a drop in customer demand for face-to-face banking. Counter transactions have dropped by 55% since January 2020, with an average of 204 customers visiting the branch every month and 95 business customers.
But NatWest has committed to completing the much-needed renovation work on the building before any closure takes place.
Wychavon’s conservation team has been working closely with NatWest for several years to fully understand the scale of the work needed to ensure the survival of the Bridge Street building.
An extensive programme of repairs is set to start this month including to the timber frame, basement, external repairs at ground floor level and the removal and replacement of the pitched roof. The project has faced delays for several reasons including availability of the roof slates due to national shortages, but everything is now in place for work to start.
NatWest has also committed to working with local stakeholders to find a use for the Round House once the branch is closed. Wychavon is meeting with the bank in the next few weeks to discuss the building’s future and explore potential solutions.
Dipesh Mistry, Regional Director, NatWest Group, said: “We can confirm that we plan to close the Evesham branch in 2026 as we continue to monitor and carefully review our customers banking preferences. As a Grade I listed building, we recognise the importance of the building that has housed our branch to the community of Evesham. This is why we have committed considerable resource and investment into the restoration works that remain ongoing at the site.
“The next phase of these works will begin at the end of June, and we would like to reiterate our commitment that the Evesham branch will remain open until these restoration works are fully completed. Alongside these restoration works, we will be working with the senior leadership of Wychavon District Council to develop a long-term plan for this building, which we recognise plays a critical role in the local community.”
Evesham North Councillor Charlie Homer, speaking on behalf of Wychavon councillors in the Evesham area, said: “The news that NatWest is closing its Evesham branch is hugely disappointing for the people of Evesham, having already lost other banking facilities recently. However, we recognise and welcome NatWest’s commitment to see the restoration work through before that closure happens.
“Whenever any of us go into town we are always asked what’s happening with the Round House so we’re delighted the work will get underway this month. I want to see it completed as soon as possible so we can get the scaffolding and protective wrap down and enjoy the beautiful aesthetics of the building once again.
“The renovation represents a significant investment in the town that will protect and preserve a building of not just local, but national importance.
“NatWest’s offer to engage in discussions with the community about the future of the building is a positive, proactive and collaborative step towards securing a positive future for a building that means so much to our residents.”
Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, added: “While we’re disappointed to be losing NatWest from Evesham - unfortunately like bank branches in many other towns - this does create an excellent opportunity to secure a use for an iconic building. That, along with the deal to bring the Riverside Shopping Centre back into public use, will drive forward the ambitions set out in the Evesham Investment Prospectus and help realise the future vision for Evesham town centre.
“We look forward to constructive conversations with NatWest over the coming weeks.”
Pictured above: The Round House in Evesham.