Santander's latest closures are part of a major overhaul of its branch network
Santander has announced around 750 jobs are at risk of redundancy under plans to shut another 95 branches.
The lender has cited changing customer habits and the rise of digital banking as key reasons for the closures.
Santander has announced plans to shut branches in June, while also reducing hours at 36 locations and converting 18 sites into counter-free banking hubs as part of a major shake-up.
Branches with reduced hours will follow a set schedule, opening on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, with Saturday hours from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Santander is streamlining its branch network, reducing its current 444 locations to 290 full-service branches and five Work Cafés as part of its restructuring plans.
The bank is expanding its Work Café concept, recently opening two new locations, with another set to be announced soon. These free co-working spaces offer superfast WiFi, event facilities, and a workspace for both customers and non-customers, supporting local communities and businesses.
In addition to closures, Santander has invested millions into upgrading its branches, with 99 already refurbished over the past two years and another 50 set for improvements this year. The upgraded branches include digital self-service rooms for greater privacy and easier access to banking services.
The bank is also enhancing its digital banking experience, improving its mobile banking app, chat service, and telephone banking to better serve customers online.
The move marks another setback for in-person banking, with Santander citing changing customer habits and the rise of digital banking as key reasons for the closures.
Customers affected by branch closures will still have access to in-person banking through alternative services. Santander will provide community bankers, who will visit local venues at set times to help with account management. Customers can also use banking hubs—shared spaces on the high street where they can withdraw and deposit cash and handle other banking tasks.
Additionally, Santander customers can visit their nearest Post Office to pay in and withdraw cash, check balances, and deposit cheques.
The closures reflect a major shift towards digital banking, with Santander reporting a 63 per cent increase in online transactions since 2019, while in-branch financial transactions have dropped 61 per cent in the same period.
Despite the changes, 93 per cent of the UK population will still be within 10 miles of a Santander branch, according to the bank.
To support those most affected, Santander has confirmed it will contact all potentially vulnerable customers by phone if their local branch is closing.
A Santander UK spokesperson said the bank is adapting to changing customer behaviour to ensure branches remain “fit for the future.”
“Our new combination of full-service branches, Work Cafés, counter-free branches, and reduced-hours locations aims to provide the right balance between digital banking and face-to-face support,” they said, adding that the bank must “move with customers and balance investment” across all areas where it interacts with them.
Acknowledging that “closing a branch is always a very difficult decision,” the spokesperson stressed that Santander takes careful consideration before making such moves.
Santander Bank Branch Closures
Closures will begin in June and continue through August, affecting locations across the UK.