High street banking giant Santander has confirmed plans to close 44 branches across the United Kingdom, a move that places 291 jobs at risk. The decision is attributed to a profound and ongoing shift in customer behaviour, with an increasing number of people opting for digital banking services over traditional in-branch visits.
Responding to a Digital-First Customer Base
A spokesperson for Santander explained the rationale behind the closures, stating, “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 that this restructuring is part of a broader strategy to adapt to modern banking preferences.
The spokesperson further clarified, “We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising of full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular Work Cafes – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us.” This indicates that while physical branches are being reduced, Santander is not abandoning its physical presence entirely, but rather reshaping it to complement its digital offerings.
Full List of Affected Branches and Closure Dates
The closures are scheduled to take place between late April 2026 and the end of January 2027, impacting communities from Scotland to Southern England. The full list of branches set to close is as follows:
- Andover – 33 High Street, SP10 1LJ – May 12, 2026
- Banbridge – 34 Newry Street, BT32 3HA – May 19, 2026
- Bangor – 64 Main Street, BT20 5AQ – April 29, 2026
- Berwick Upon Tweed – 37 Marygate, TD15 1AT – April 28, 2026
- Bishop Auckland – 64 Newgate Street, DL14 7JA – May 05, 2026
- Boston – 1 Wide Bargate, PE21 6QY – April 28, 2026
- Bridgend – 13 Adare Street, CF31 1ET – May 12, 2026
- Bridgwater – 18 Fore Street, TA6 3NG – April 29, 2026
- Cwmbran – 11 North Walk, NP44 1XF – May 13, 2026
- Enniskillen – 4 Church Street, BT74 7EB – May 12, 2026
- Evesham – 17 Bridge Street, WR11 4SQ – April 28, 2026
- Glengormley – 1-3 Farmley Road, BT36 7TR – May 06, 2026
- Golders Green – 640-642 Finchley Road, NW11 7RU – May 13, 2026
- Gosport – 128 High Street, PO12 1DT – May 05, 2026
- Haverfordwest – 37 Bridge Street, SA61 2AD – May 05, 2026
- Heswall – 143-145 Telegraph Road, CH60 7SE – May 13, 2026
- Huntingdon – 44 High Street, PE29 3AJ – May 05, 2026
- Kirkintilloch – 45 Cowgate, G66 1HW – April 29, 2026
- Leighton Buzzard – 1 Hockliffe Street, LU7 1HG – By the end of January 2027
- Leyland – 45 Hough Lane, PR25 2SA – May 06, 2026
- Liskeard – Barras Street, PL14 6AL – May 20, 2026
- Macclesfield – 10 Mill Street, SK11 6PA – May 12, 2026
- Mansfield – 9 Stockwell Gate, NG18 1JY – May 06, 2026
- Melton Mowbray – 5 Nottingham Street, LE13 1NN – April 29, 2026
- Merthyr Tydfil – 15 Market Square, CF47 8DG – May 06, 2026
- Mold – 31 High Street, CH7 1BQ – April 28, 2026
- Newbury – 90 Northbrook Street, RG14 1AA – April 29, 2026
- Newton Abbot – 3-5 Queen Street, TQ12 2AG – May 19, 2026
- Northallerton – 99/100 High Street, DL7 8PP – May 06, 2026
- Ormskirk – 2 Moor Street, L39 2XN – By the end of January 2027
- Pontefract – 23 Market Place, WF8 1DS – May 05, 2026
- Ramsgate – 40 High Street, CT11 9AG – April 28, 2026
- Redditch – 14 Evesham Walk, B97 4YS – May 13, 2026
- Ringwood – 16 High Street, BH24 1BG – May 06, 2026
- Scunthorpe – 138 High St, DN15 6ET – April 29, 2026
- Shirley – 223 Stratford Road, B90 3AH – May 20, 2026
- Stafford – 1 Market Square, ST16 2JH – May 19, 2026
- Stranraer – 30 George Street, DG9 7RL – May 13, 2026
- Stratford Upon Avon – 21 Wood Street, CV37 6JU – May 12, 2026
- Tonbridge – 12 The Pavilion, TN9 1TE – April 29, 2026
- Welwyn Garden City – 60 Howardsgate, AL8 6BP – May 05, 2026
- Whitehaven – 22 King Street, CA28 7JN – By the end of January 2027
- Wilmslow – 39 Grove Street, SK9 1DT – By the end of January 2027
- Woking – Unit 38 The Peacocks, GU21 6GD – April 28, 2026
Impact on the High Street and Workforce
This wave of closures represents a significant reduction in Santander's physical footprint and underscores the broader trend affecting the UK banking sector. The loss of these branches will not only impact the 291 employees whose roles are at risk but also alter the banking landscape for residents in these towns and cities. Customers in affected areas will need to rely more heavily on Santander's digital platforms, alternative branch formats, or post office services for their banking needs.
The announcement follows a pattern seen across the industry, as banks continue to consolidate their physical networks in favour of online and mobile banking solutions that cater to a tech-savvy public. Santander's move highlights the challenging balance financial institutions must strike between maintaining customer service accessibility and adapting to irreversible digital transformation.
