UK Bank to Shut 44 Branches by May, Endangering 291 Jobs
Santander UK plans to close 44 branches by May 2026, affecting nearly 300 jobs and leaving communities with limited banking access. This decision marks the closure of one in eight of the bank’s total 349 branches, reducing the number to 305. Only 244 of these will provide full banking services, including mortgage advice and in-person cash deposits.
Impact of Digital Banking Shift
The closures reflect a broader trend in the banking industry, where customers increasingly opt for online services. Santander reports that 96% of its transactions are now conducted digitally. Critics, including government officials, have voiced concerns over restrictions on access to cash, especially for elderly and vulnerable populations.
Job Losses and Support for Affected Staff
The impending closures put approximately 291 employees at risk of unemployment. Santander intends to offer alternative roles and will consult with unions regarding the transition. Additionally, the bank plans to reach out to potentially vulnerable customers to assist them in finding new banking solutions.
Upcoming £2.6 Billion TSB Takeover
These branch closures coincide with Santander’s preparation for a £2.6 billion acquisition of TSB from Banco Sabadell. This transaction, expected to finalize in early 2026, will augment Santander’s customer base by five million, alongside adding £35 billion in deposits and over 175 additional branches.
Statistics and Customer Base
- Current branches: 305 (post-closure)
- Estimated job losses: 291
- Current customers: Approximately 14 million
- Total branches before closures: 349
- Total staff before job cuts: 18,000
As the trend of banking closures continues, concerns regarding “banking deserts” grow, particularly in rural areas. Access to physical banking services is diminishing, forcing some residents to travel significant distances for in-person assistance.
List of Branch Closures
35 of the 44 branches will close by the end of May 2026, impacting various regions across the UK:
| Location | Closure Date |
|---|---|
| Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland | April 28 |
| Boston, Lincolnshire | April 28 |
| Evesham, Worcestershire | April 28 |
| Mold, Clwyd | April 28 |
| Ramsgate, Kent | April 28 |
| Woking, Surrey | April 28 |
| Bangor, County Down | April 29 |
| Bridgwater, Somerset | April 29 |
| Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire | April 29 |
| Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire | April 29 |
| Newbury, Berkshire | April 29 |
| Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire | April 29 |
| Tonbridge, Kent | April 29 |
| Bishop Auckland, County Durham | May 5 |
| Gosport, Hampshire | May 5 |
| Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire | May 5 |
| Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire | May 5 |
| Pontefract, West Yorkshire | May 5 |
| Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire | May 5 |
| Glengormley, County Antrim | May 6 |
| Leyland, Lancashire | May 6 |
| Mansfield, Nottinghamshire | May 6 |
| Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan | May 6 |
| Northallerton, North Yorkshire | May 6 |
| Ringwood, Hampshire | May 6 |
| Andover, Hampshire | May 12 |
| Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan | May 12 |
| Enniskillen, County Fermanagh | May 12 |
| Macclesfield, Cheshire | May 12 |
| Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire | May 12 |
| Cwmbran, Gwent | May 13 |
| Golders Green, London | May 13 |
| Heswall, Merseyside | May 13 |
| Redditch, Worcestershire | May 13 |
| Stranraer, Wigtownshire | May 13 |
| Banbridge, County Down | May 19 |
| Newton Abbot, Devon | May 19 |
| Stafford, Staffordshire | May 19 |
| Liskeard, Cornwall | May 20 |
| Shirley, West Midlands | May 20 |
