Metro Bank chooses Newcastle and Leeds for new openings

Bucking the trend of bank closures, the financial institution has chosen Commercial Street for its new Yorkshire store and Pilgrims Way for its North East offering.

Located in the heart of Leeds’ retail core and adding to the city’s ever-growing financial services sector, Metro Bank is taking a 2,000 sq ft store which is due to open in 2027.

Meanwhile in Newcastle, another 2,000 sq ft store will open later this year in the heart of the city’s regenerated grade A office district in Pilgrim’s Quarter.

This continues the bank’s focus on regional store expansion, following three openings in 2025 in Gateshead, Chester, and Salford.

Aisling Kane, managing director of retail and business banking at Metro Bank said: “We’re continuing to grow our store model, offering personal and business customers more places to bank at a time when others are shutting their doors.

“Our relationship banking service is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to deepen our presence in more communities through our local colleagues, events and partnerships.”

Speaking about the regeneration happening in Pilgrim’s quarter, Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Pilgrim Street is one of the most historic streets in Newcastle, and the regeneration that has taken place within the area in recent years, enabled through brilliant and aligned partnership working, has resulted in a truly revitalised city-centre district that meets the needs of businesses and reflects the ambitions of our city.”