Santander Bank Branches Closing Its 44 Branches Across UK | What’s Really Behind the Decision?

Key Facts:

• Closure Period: April 2026 – January 2027
• Branches Affected: 44 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Reason: Digital banking adoption and operational restructuring
• Jobs at Risk: 291 roles under consultation
• Customer Alternatives: Santander Locals, Banking Hubs, and Post Office services

The closures come amid Santander’s ongoing digital transformation and its £2.6 billion acquisition of TSB. For communities like Wilmslow and Whitehaven, the change marks a significant shift in local banking access raising questions about inclusivity and support for non-digital users in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Nearby branches and alternative services will remain open, but the transition signals a larger trend reshaping the UK’s high street banking footprint.

Why is Santander Closing Branches in 2026 and 2027?

Santander’s decision stems from one key trend, the dramatic rise in online and mobile banking usage. According to the bank, a staggering 96% of all customer transactions are now digital, whether through its mobile app or online banking portal.

In fact, since 2019:

• 83% of new current accounts were opened digitally.
• Mobile banking usage has increased by 67%.
• Mobile app transactions have surged by 109%.

“More customers are choosing to bank digitally, and we must evolve with them,” said a Santander UK spokesperson.

From the bank’s perspective, maintaining costly branch operations across the UK is no longer sustainable. This move aligns with broader industry trends that have seen over 6,000 UK branches closed since 2015. But while efficiency might be the driver, the social and economic implications are far-reaching.

Which Santander Branches Are Closing, and When Will It Happen?

Santander is closing 44 branches between April 2026 and January 2027. This comes less than a year after its previous round of closures in 2025, which saw 95 branches axed.

Here’s a summary table of confirmed closures by month:

Santander Closures – Monthly Breakdown

Month	Number of Branches	Notable Locations
April 2026	13	Berwick, Ramsgate, Woking
May 2026	28	Macclesfield, Bridgend, Gosport
Jan 2027 (by)	4	Wilmslow, Ormskirk, Whitehaven

You can find the full closure list in the table below, including dates and town names:

Full List of Santander Branch Closures 2026–2027

Town	Closure Date
Andover	12 May 2026
Bangor	29 April 2026
Berwick	28 April 2026
Bishop Auckland	5 May 2026
Boston	28 April 2026
Bridgend	12 May 2026
Bridgwater	29 April 2026
Cwmbran	13 May 2026
Enniskillen	12 May 2026
Evesham	28 April 2026
Glengormley	6 May 2026
Golders Green	13 May 2026
Gosport	5 May 2026
Haverfordwest	5 May 2026
Heswall	13 May 2026
Huntingdon	5 May 2026
Kirkintilloch	29 April 2026
Leighton Buzzard	By Jan 2027
Leyland	6 May 2026
Liskeard	20 May 2026
Macclesfield	12 May 2026
Mansfield	6 May 2026
Melton Mowbray	29 April 2026
Merthyr Tydfil	6 May 2026
Mold	28 April 2026
Newbury	29 April 2026
Newton Abbot	19 May 2026
Northallerton	6 May 2026
Ormskirk	By Jan 2027
Pontefract	5 May 2026
Ramsgate	28 April 2026
Redditch	13 May 2026
Ringwood	6 May 2026
Scunthorpe	29 April 2026
Shirley	20 May 2026
Stafford	19 May 2026
Stratford-upon-Avon	12 May 2026
Stranraer	13 May 2026
Tonbridge	29 April 2026
Welwyn Garden City	5 May 2026
Whitehaven	By Jan 2027
Wilmslow	By Jan 2027
Woking	28 April 2026

These confirmed dates give customers time to prepare, but with closures continuing into 2027, Santander account holders should check local alternatives early and plan how they will manage everyday banking once their nearest branch shuts.

How Will These Closures Affect Customers and Communities Like Wilmslow?

For many residents in towns like Wilmslow, this change goes beyond a branch closing, it represents the gradual loss of trusted community infrastructure. Local reaction has been swift, particularly online, where customers have voiced disappointment and concern.

“Just had an email to say Santander in Wilmslow is closing from 20th May. So disappointing to lose another bank… it always seems well used!”
– Ann Phillips, Wilmslow Hub

Key concerns raised by customers include:

• Reduced face-to-face banking support, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents
• Ongoing difficulty adapting to online banking
• Longer travel distances to access full-service branches
• Local job losses affecting the wider town economy

This situation reflects a wider national issue, the steady decline of the UK high street and the growing risk of communities being left without accessible banking services.

Are Jobs at Risk as Part of the Santander Closures?

Yes, job security is a major concern in this latest round of Santander branch closures. The bank has confirmed that 291 frontline positions are at risk as part of its restructuring across the UK.

This announcement follows previous cuts from 2025, where 750 roles were made redundant due to earlier closures. Now, employees at the affected 44 locations face uncertainty about their future, though Santander has committed to minimising job losses through internal redeployment.

Support measures include:

• Access to alternative roles within the bank
• Dedicated outplacement and career transition services
• Mental health and wellbeing support helplines

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has urged the bank to prioritise reskilling and retraining opportunities. However, exact numbers for redeployed staff have not been disclosed. The broader implication is clear that this trend isn’t only about buildings closing, it’s about livelihoods being redefined in a digital economy.

Is the TSB Takeover Influencing Santander’s Decision to Shut Branches?

The timing of the branch closures has drawn attention due to Santander’s £2.6 billion acquisition of TSB, which is currently under regulatory review. While the bank insists the closures are not directly related, the overlaps are difficult to ignore.

When two major banks merge, there’s often a need to eliminate duplicate roles and overlapping branch locations. TSB currently has 175 branches, many of which exist in close proximity to Santander sites.

The merged entity would become the third-largest retail bank in the UK by deposit volume, and streamlining services is a likely strategic step.

This could mean:

• More branch closures in future
• Reduction in operational costs
• Possible brand consolidation (i.e., phasing out the TSB name)

Until regulators approve the deal, Santander will likely continue with planned branch reductions independently, while quietly preparing for deeper integration.

What are Santander’s Alternatives to Physical Branches?

Although physical branches are closing, Santander is actively rolling out new access options to ensure customers still receive personal support.

Here are the main alternatives available post-closure:

Santander Locals

• Smaller, community-based setups in libraries, council buildings, or shared spaces
• Offer services like account support, card issues, and payment advice
• Operate on reduced days with appointment options

Community Bankers

• Mobile advisors stationed in towns losing branches
• Available for one-on-one financial advice and digital help
• Booking required through the Santander website

Banking Hubs

• Multi-bank shared spaces, coordinated by Cash Access UK
• Customers can access basic services regardless of their bank
• Staffed by Post Office teams, not individual bank reps

As of now, hubs are confirmed for Wilmslow, Whitehaven, Leighton Buzzard, and Ormskirk, with more planned. These hybrid models aim to bridge the digital gap, especially for the elderly and digitally excluded.

Is Santander Online Banking Ready to Fully Replace In-person Services?

While Santander online banking offers comprehensive features, whether it can completely replace in-person services remains debatable.

The bank has heavily invested in its digital platforms, and they are undoubtedly convenient:

• Real-time balances and payment transfers
• Mortgage and loan management
• Secure login with biometric features
• In-app customer service and notifications

Yet, challenges remain for many users. Those in rural areas with poor internet, or older customers unfamiliar with apps, face barriers to access. According to industry data, a significant portion of UK banking customers over 70 still prefer branch banking.

Santander has responded with digital support teams and tutorials. However, some services like resolving complex financial disputes, handling probate, or helping vulnerable customers are still better suited to face-to-face interaction.

How are other banks responding to the branch closure trend in the UK?

The Santander closures are part of a much larger shift in the UK banking landscape. Over the past decade, more than 6,000 branches have disappeared from the high street, affecting nearly every major bank.

Here’s a snapshot of what others are doing:

• Lloyds Banking Group: Over 100 closures expected by March 2026
• HSBC: Moving toward a near-fully digital model with pop-up branches in some areas
• Barclays: Expanding its mobile banking vans and community pop-ups
• NatWest: Continues to scale down branches in urban and rural locations

But there is a notable exception:

• Nationwide has publicly pledged to keep all 696 branches open until at least 2030, positioning itself as a community-first alternative to other retail banks.

This mix of strategies shows a clear divide, while most banks are trimming costs and moving online, some still see value in maintaining physical spaces for customer trust and service diversity.

What does this mean for the future of banking in the UK?

In short, it signals a period of major transformation. The continued wave of branch closures, including Santander branches shutting between 2026 and 2027, is not a short-term adjustment but part of a long-term shift in how banking operates across the UK. Traditional high-street banking is steadily giving way to digital-first models designed around convenience and efficiency.

Future banking is likely to rely on hybrid approaches that combine strong online services with limited in-person support through smaller, flexible formats such as Work Cafés, mobile branches, and shared banking hubs. Advances in personalised digital banking, including AI-driven insights and automated support, will also play a growing role.

However, these changes raise concerns about financial exclusion, particularly for elderly customers, vulnerable groups, and rural communities. For this transition to succeed, banks must ensure accessibility, empathy, and inclusive design remain central to their strategies.

Conclusion

The closure of 44 Santander bank branches across the UK highlights a significant shift towards digital banking, but it comes at a cost. While online services offer convenience, they cannot fully replace the value of local, in-person support for every customer.

For communities like Wilmslow, the change feels deeply personal. As the banking landscape evolves, it’s crucial that alternatives like Banking Hubs and Santander Locals genuinely meet local needs, ensuring no one is left behind in the move towards a cashless, digital-first future.

FAQs About Santander Bank Branches Closing

Can I still deposit cash with Santander after my branch closes?

Yes, you can use the Post Office, Banking Hubs, or Santander Local branches to make deposits and withdrawals.

What is a Santander Local and how does it work?

It’s a mini-branch in a community centre or library, offering basic face-to-face support a few days a week.

How can I find the nearest banking hub in my area?

Visit the Post Office branch locator and look for entries marked “Banking Hub”.

Will Santander notify me directly if my branch is closing?

Yes. Customers are informed via email, post, or phone. Vulnerable users receive additional support.

Are Santander’s mobile and online services secure for older users?

Yes. The bank uses two-factor authentication and biometric logins, though usability may vary by individual comfort.

What happens to my mortgage or account if my branch closes?

Your services continue unaffected. Support is available via the app, phone, and at alternative face-to-face locations.

Can I switch banks if I’m unhappy with the branch closure?

Yes. Banks like TSB and Club Lloyds offer cash incentives for switching. Always check local branch availability first.

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