Santander has unveiled plans to close 44 bank branches across the United Kingdom, a significant restructuring that places 291 jobs in jeopardy. This move follows the closure of 95 branches last year, with the banking giant citing a substantial shift towards digital banking as the primary driver behind these changes.
Impact on the West Midlands
Among the closures, five branches in the West Midlands are set to shut, including locations in Solihull and Redditch. This regional impact highlights the broader national trend affecting communities as Santander adapts to evolving customer preferences.
Network Transformation
After these scheduled closures, Santander's branch network will be reduced to 305 locations, of which 244 will be full-service branches. A spokesperson for Santander UK explained, "In response to a continuing and sizeable shift towards customers using digital banking, we are making changes to our branches to better support our customers." The bank emphasised its commitment to investing in a diverse branch network, including full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and Work Cafés, alongside digital banking services.
Full List of Closures
The closures span various regions, with specific dates set for 2026 and early 2027. Key locations include:
- Andover – 33 High Street, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1LJ - May 12, 2026
- Banbridge – 34 Newry Street, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3HA - May 19, 2026
- Bangor – 64 Main Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AQ - April 29, 2026
- Berwick Upon Tweed – 37 Marygate, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1AT - April 28, 2026
- Bishop Auckland – 64 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7JA - May 5, 2026
- Boston – 1 Wide Bargate, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6QY - April 28, 2026
- Bridgend – 13 Adare Street, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, CF31 1ET - May 12, 2026
- Bridgwater – 18 Fore Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3NG - April 29, 2026
- Cwmbran – 11 North Walk, Cwmbran, Gwent, NP44 1XF - May 13, 2026
- Enniskillen – 4 Church Street, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7EB - May 12, 2026
- Evesham – 17 Bridge Street, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4SQ - April 28, 2026
- Glengormley – 1–3 Farmley Road, Glengormley, County Antrim, BT36 7TR - May 6, 2026
- Golders Green – 640–642 Finchley Road, Golders Green, London, NW11 7RU - May 13, 2026
- Gosport – 128 High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1DT - May 5, 2026
- Haverfordwest – 37 Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2AD - May 5, 2026
- Heswall – 143–145 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Merseyside, CH60 7SE - May 13, 2026
- Huntingdon – 44 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 3AJ - May 5, 2026
- Kirkintilloch – 45 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire, G66 1HW - April 29, 2026
- Leighton Buzzard* – 1 Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1HG - by the end of January 2027
- Leyland – 45 Hough Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2SA - May 6, 2026
- Liskeard – Barras Street, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 6AL - May 20, 2026
- Macclesfield – 10 Mill Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6PA - May 12, 2026
- Mansfield – 9 Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 1JY - May 6, 2026
- Melton Mowbray – 5 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1NN - April 29, 2026
- Merthyr Tydfil – 15 Market Square, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, CF47 8DG - May 6, 2026
- Mold – 31 High Street, Mold, Clwyd, CH7 1BQ - April 28, 2026
- Newbury – 90 Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1AA - April 29, 2026
- Newton Abbot – 3–5 Queen Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2AG - May 19, 2026
- Northallerton – 99/100 High Street, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8PP - May 6, 2026
- Pontefract – 23 Market Place, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1DS - May 5, 2026
- Ramsgate – 40 High Street, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9AG - April 28, 2026
- Redditch – 14 Evesham Walk, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 4YS - May 13, 2026
- Ringwood – 16 High Street, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 1BG - May 6, 2026
- Scunthorpe – 138 High Street, Scunthorpe, South Humberside, DN15 6ET - April 29, 2026
- Shirley – 223 Stratford Road, Shirley, West Midlands, B90 3AH - May 20, 2026
- Stafford – 1 Market Square, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2JH - May 19, 2026
- Stranraer – 30 George Street, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 7RL - May 13, 2026
- Stratford Upon Avon – 21 Wood Street, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6JU - May 12, 2026
- Tonbridge – 12 The Pavilion, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1TE - April 29, 2026
- Welwyn Garden City – 60 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6BP - May 5, 2026
- Whitehaven* – 22 King Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7JN - by the end of January 2027
- Wilmslow* – 39 Grove Street, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1DT - by the end of January 2027
- Woking – Unit 38, The Peacocks, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GD - April 28, 2026
An asterisk indicates locations where a banking hub will open, offering some continuity of service for affected customers.
Broader Implications
This announcement reflects a wider industry trend as banks increasingly pivot towards digital solutions to meet customer demands. The closures underscore the challenges faced by traditional banking models in an era of rapid technological advancement, with Santander aiming to balance physical presence with online capabilities to serve diverse banking needs.
