Have you recently noticed more bank branches disappearing from your high street? If so, you’re not alone.
Santander UK has announced plans to close a significant number of its branches, following a wider trend of high street bank closures.
This decision is expected to impact thousands of customers who rely on in-person banking services.
While Santander cites the rise of online banking and changing customer preferences as key reasons, many are concerned about the effect on elderly customers, local businesses, and bank employees.
With digital banking becoming the new norm, is this the beginning of the end for traditional high street banking?
In this article, we explore why Santander is closing branches, which locations are affected, and what customers can do to adapt.
Why is Santander Closing Its Bank Branches in the UK?
Santander has attributed its decision to several key factors, most of which are related to changes in banking habits and the increasing dominance of digital banking. Let’s take a closer look at the main reasons behind these closures:
1. Rise of Online and Mobile Banking
- The number of customers visiting physical branches has declined as more people switch to online and mobile banking.
- Santander reports that over 90% of transactions now take place online rather than in branches.
- Many customers find digital banking more convenient, allowing them to manage finances from anywhere.
2. Changing Consumer Behaviour
- Younger generations are more likely to use banking apps, reducing footfall in physical branches.
- COVID-19 accelerated the shift towards digital banking as people adapted to remote financial management.
- Many high street stores and businesses now operate cashless, reducing the need for traditional banking services.
3. Cost-Cutting and Operational Efficiency
- Santander, like other banks, is restructuring operations to cut costs and improve profitability.
- Running a physical branch involves rent, staffing, and maintenance expenses that are difficult to justify with reduced foot traffic.
- By closing underused branches, Santander can invest more in improving online banking services.
4. High Street Decline
- Many high streets in the UK have seen a decline in footfall due to the rise of e-commerce and changing shopping habits.
- As fewer people visit high streets, the need for physical bank branches diminishes.
The closure of Santander branches is part of a broader industry shift. With digital banking on the rise, traditional brick-and-mortar branches are becoming less viable.
How Many Santander Bank Branches Are Closing in 2025?
Santander has announced that 95 branches will be closing in 2025, affecting hundreds of employees and thousands of customers across the UK.
This follows a previous wave of closures, where Santander shut down 111 branches in 2021 and another 140 in 2019.
The bank has stated that this decision was made after carefully analysing branch usage data.
According to Santander, the branches set to close have seen a 33% drop in customer visits over the past four years. This highlights how consumer preferences have shifted dramatically towards digital banking.
While the number of closures may seem concerning, Santander still plans to maintain a network of branches in key locations.
The bank has assured customers that alternative services, such as Post Office banking partnerships and digital support, will be available to help customers transition smoothly.
Is Your Local Santander Branch Closing in 2025?
Santander has announced the closure of 95 branches across the UK in 2025 due to declining footfall. Many customers will need to switch to online banking or use alternative services like the Post Office. Check the full list to see if your local branch is affected.
List of Santander Branches Closing in 2025 (Confirmed Dates)
- Aberdare, Glamorgan, Wales – June 24
- Arbroath, Angus, Scotland – June 17
- Armagh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – July 1
- Blackwood, Gwent, Wales – June 23
- Blyth, Northumberland – August 5
- Bognor Regis, West Sussex – July 14
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – July 1
- Brecon, Powys, Wales – June 25
- Brixton, London – August 11
- Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales – July 7
- Camborne, Cornwall – July 7
- Canvey Island, Essex – August 5
- Clacton, Essex – June 16
- Cleveleys, Lancashire – June 23
- Colne, Lancashire – July 14
- Colwyn Bay, Clwyd, Wales – July 24
- Crowborough, East Sussex – July 23
- Croydon, Surrey – June 16
- Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, Scotland – July 7
- Didsbury, Greater Manchester – July 8
- Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland – August 6
- Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – June 23
- Edgware Road, London – August 12
- Eltham, London – June 23
- Exmouth, Devon – July 15
- Falmouth, Cornwall – July 21
- Farnham, Surrey – July 29
- Felixstowe, Suffolk – July 16
- Finchley, London – August 6
- Fleet, Hampshire – June 30
- Formby, Merseyside – August 11
- Gateshead Metro, Tyne & Wear – June 16
- Glasgow LDHQ, Lanarkshire, Scotland – June 24
- Glasgow MX, Lanarkshire, Scotland – June 23
- Greenford, Greater London – June 24
- Hackney, London – July 15
- Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland – July 24
- Herne Bay, Kent – July 8
- Hertford, Hertfordshire – July 29
- Holloway, London – July 14
- Holywell, Clwyd, Wales – August 13
- Honiton, Devon – July 14
- Kidderminster, Worcestershire – June 18
- Kilburn, London – June 17
- Kirkby, Merseyside – July 22
- Launceston, Cornwall – June 16
- Louth, Lincolnshire – June 17
- Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland – June 24
- Malvern, Worcestershire – July 2
- Market Harborough, Leicestershire – July 1
- Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland – June 30
- New Milton, Hampshire – July 28
- Peterhead, Aberdeenshire – June 26
- Plympton, Devon – August 14
- Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – June 30
- Pudsey, West Yorkshire – July 28
- Rawtenstall, Lancashire – July 15
- Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire – July 30
- Ruislip, Greater London – July 7
- Rustington, West Sussex – August 5
- Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland – July 21
- Seaford, East Sussex – July 15
- Shaftesbury, Dorset – July 23
- Sidcup, Kent – August 11
- St Austell, Cornwall – July 8
- St Neots, Cambridgeshire – July 30
- Stokesley, Cleveland – July 31
- Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – July 23
- Surrey Quays, London – November 10
- Swadlincote, Derbyshire – June 30
- Tenterden, Kent – July 7
- Torquay, Devon – June 17
- Tottenham, London – July 8
- Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear – August 6
- Willerby, East Yorkshire – August 13
- Wimborne, Dorset – August 4
- Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland – July 22
Santander Branches Awaiting Confirmed Closure Date
- Bexhill, East Sussex
- Billericay, Essex
- Dover, Kent
- Droitwich, Worcestershire
- Dunstable, Bedfordshire
- East Grinstead, West Sussex
- Holyhead, Gwynedd, Wales
- Ilkley, West Yorkshire
- Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
- Maldon, Essex
- Morley, West Yorkshire
- North Walsham, Norfolk
- Redcar, Cleveland
- Saffron Walden, Essex
- Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Uckfield, East Sussex
- Urmston, Greater Manchester
These closures reflect Santander’s shift towards digital banking, aligning with changing customer habits. While the closures may impact some communities, the bank has assured continued support through digital, telephone, and alternative banking services.
Which High Street Locations Will Be Affected by Santander’s Closures?
The 95 branches set to close in 2025 are spread across the UK, with some regions more heavily affected than others.
Several major high streets will see their Santander branches disappear, leaving customers with fewer in-person banking options.
Among the locations affected are:
- London: Multiple branches, including those in suburban areas, are closing.
- Manchester: Several branches in the Greater Manchester area will shut down.
- Birmingham: Some central and outer-city branches are on the closure list.
- Essex: At least five branches in key towns will close, affecting local communities.
- Scotland & Wales: Several branches across major towns and cities are also being shut down.
For a full list of branch closures, Santander has advised customers to check their official website or visit local branches for details.
Customers in affected areas are encouraged to transition to digital banking or seek alternative services.
What Does Santander’s Decision Mean for Customers Who Rely on In-Person Banking?
Many Santander customers, particularly elderly individuals and those without internet access, still rely on in-person banking.
The closures could make banking significantly more challenging for these groups.
Challenges for Affected Customers
- Limited access to cash withdrawals and deposits.
- Difficulty in accessing face-to-face financial advice.
- Longer travel distances to the nearest available branch.
Santander’s Alternative Solutions
- Customers can use Post Office branches for basic banking services.
- Online banking and mobile apps offer 24/7 access to accounts.
- Telephone banking support is available for those who prefer speaking to a representative.
Santander has stated that they are investing in digital literacy programs to help customers transition to online banking.
However, many feel that high street banking should remain accessible for those who need it.
How Will Santander’s Branch Closures Impact Employees and Jobs?
Santander’s decision to close 95 branches in 2025 will have a significant impact on its workforce, with approximately 750 employees affected.
Many of these employees have spent years in the banking industry, and while Santander has committed to offering redeployment opportunities, not all staff will be able to transition into new roles.
For many, these closures mean job losses and career uncertainty, especially in areas where banking jobs are already limited.
Job Market Impact
- The decline in high street banking reduces job opportunities for customer service and banking professionals.
- Employees facing redundancy may need to reskill or transition into different industries, such as fintech or customer support roles.
Santander’s Response
- The bank has promised to reassign staff where possible, offering roles in other departments or locations.
- Employees unable to transition will receive severance packages, career support, and job placement assistance.
The closures reflect the wider shift toward automation and digital services, which continues to reshape employment in the banking sector.
Is Online Banking the Future? How Santander Is Shifting Its Strategy
With fewer customers visiting branches, Santander is shifting its focus to digital banking. The bank is investing in mobile and online services to meet modern consumer needs, making everyday transactions faster and more efficient.
Customers are encouraged to use the Santander Mobile Banking App for account management, money transfers, and loan applications.
To enhance digital support, Santander offers live chat and virtual assistance, providing instant customer service without requiring branch visits. Automated banking services powered by AI also streamline transactions, reducing the need for manual processing.
Despite these advancements, concerns remain for older customers and those without internet access. To ensure accessibility, Santander continues to provide telephone banking and digital literacy support.
While the move towards online banking improves efficiency and lowers costs, Santander remains committed to supporting all customers through the transition.
Are Other UK Banks Also Closing Their Branches?
Santander’s branch closures are part of a larger trend in the UK banking sector, with many banks reducing their physical presence to cut costs and adapt to digital banking.
The decline of high street banking has led to mass closures across major financial institutions, leaving fewer in-person banking options for customers.
Other Banks Closing Branches
- HSBC: Announced 114 branch closures in 2023, citing a significant drop in foot traffic.
- Lloyds Bank: Plans to close 150 branches in 2025, impacting high street banking availability.
- Barclays: Shifting towards digital banking hubs instead of traditional branches.
These closures signal a broader move towards online and mobile banking, forcing customers to rely on digital solutions.
While banks argue that online banking offers greater convenience, critics argue that these closures disproportionately affect rural communities, elderly customers, and small businesses that depend on face-to-face services.
What Alternatives Do Customers Have After Santander’s Closures?
With high street branches disappearing, customers must explore alternative banking options.
Santander has reassured customers that banking services will remain accessible through various channels, including digital platforms and third-party banking partners.
1. Post Office Banking Services
- Customers can still withdraw and deposit cash, check balances, and process payments at Post Office locations.
- Post Office banking partnerships ensure that basic financial services remain accessible, especially in rural areas.
2. Digital Banking Options
- Santander’s online banking and mobile app allow customers to manage accounts 24/7, pay bills, and transfer money.
- Features like live chat support, online mortgage applications, and AI-driven financial advice are improving customer experience.
3. Alternative Banks and Credit Unions
- Customers who prefer face-to-face banking can consider switching to banks that maintain a larger physical presence.
- Credit unions and challenger banks often provide personalized services and may have more flexible policies.
As traditional banking continues to decline, customers must become comfortable with digital tools and alternative financial institutions to manage their banking needs.
Conclusion
Santander’s decision to close 95 branches in 2025 reflects the ongoing shift towards digital banking. While this move offers greater convenience for tech-savvy users, it raises concerns for elderly customers, employees, and local communities.
As traditional banking disappears from the high street, customers must adapt to online banking, Post Office services, or alternative financial institutions.
The question remains: will more banks follow suit, or will high street banking make a comeback in the future?
FAQs About Santander Bank Branches Closing
What are the key reasons behind high street bank closures in the UK?
High street bank closures are mainly due to the rise of online banking and declining in-person visits. Banks are also cutting costs by reducing physical branch operations.
Will Santander’s branch closures affect existing customer services?
Santander assures that online and mobile banking services will remain unaffected. Customers can still access basic banking services through Post Office branches.
Can customers still visit other Santander branches nearby?
Yes, some Santander branches will remain open, but affected customers may need to travel further. The bank recommends checking its website for the nearest available branch.
How can customers withdraw cash if their local Santander branch closes?
Customers can use Santander ATMs, other bank ATMs, or Post Office branches for cash withdrawals. Cashback options are also available at many supermarkets and retailers.
Is Santander offering any support for elderly or vulnerable customers?
Santander provides telephone banking, digital training, and alternative service options. Vulnerable customers can request additional support through customer service.
Will the closure of Santander branches affect mortgage and loan services?
No, Santander’s mortgage and loan services will continue as usual. Customers can manage their accounts online, through the app, or by speaking to an advisor.
How can customers provide feedback or complaints about the branch closures?
Customers can submit complaints via Santander’s website, customer service helpline, or in writing. The bank encourages feedback to improve service options for affected users.
