Santander plans to close 44 branches across the UK in 2026, resulting in 291 job losses as the bank accelerates its shift toward digital banking services. The closures reflect a continuing trend within the UK financial sector, driven by changing consumer habits and the increasing adoption of online and mobile banking platforms. While Santander intends to mitigate impact through “Santander Locals” within community spaces, the move adds to concerns about access to banking services, particularly for vulnerable customers and those in rural areas. A full list of affected branches and closure dates is included below.
Santander, the fifth-largest bank in the United Kingdom, will close 44 branches in 2026, impacting 291 jobs, as the financial institution continues to shift towards digital services. The move reflects a broader trend within the UK banking sector, as institutions grapple with changing customer behavior and the rising popularity of online banking.
The bank announced the closures, stating that 96% of its transactions are now completed digitally. Santander plans to mitigate the impact by having representatives operate from nearby banking centers or “Santander Locals”—locations within libraries and community centers offering assistance one day per week.
This latest round of closures follows an earlier announcement last year, where Santander revealed plans to shutter 95 branches, affecting 750 employees. Lloyds Bank is also reducing its physical footprint, intending to close over 100 branches by March as part of a previously announced program.
The reduction in branch networks has drawn criticism from government officials, who express concern over limiting access to cash for elderly and vulnerable individuals.
Nationwide, the UK’s largest building society, is bucking the trend, committing to keep all 696 of its remaining branches open until at least 2030, citing increased customer usage. However, Nationwide had previously closed 10% of its branches before making this commitment in 2023.
Concerns are growing about the emergence of “banking deserts” – areas with limited or no access to traditional banking services. In some parts of Yorkshire, residents now face a 16-kilometer journey to reach a bank branch.
Efforts to address this issue include the implementation of “banking hubs,” funded by major high street banks and managed by Cash Access UK through local post offices. These hubs allow customers of multiple banks to access services in a single location, but their rollout has been slow.
“We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising full-service branches, no-teller branches, reduced-hours branches, Santander Locals and our increasingly popular working cafes – and our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers, however they choose to bank with us,” Santander stated.
Lista completă a sucursalelor Sandander, împreună cu data propusă de închidere
Andover, Hampshire – May 12, 2026
Banbridge, County Down – May 19, 2026
Bangor, County Down – April 29, 2026
Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland – April 28, 2026
Bishop Auckland, County Durham – May 5, 2026
Boston, Lincolnshire – April 28, 2026
Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – May 12, 2026
Bridgwater, Somerset – April 29, 2026
Cwmbran, Gwent – May 13, 2026
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – May 12, 2026
Evesham, Worcestershire – April 28, 2026
Glengormley, County Antrim – May 6, 2026
Golders Green, London – May 13, 2026
Gosport, Hampshire – May 5, 2026
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – May 5, 2026
Heswall, Merseyside – May 13, 2026
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – May 5, 2026
Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire – April 29, 2026
Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire – Until the end of January 2027
Leyland, Lancashire – May 6, 2026
Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20, 2026
Macclesfield, Cheshire – May 12, 2026
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – May 6, 2026
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – April 29, 2026
Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – May 6, 2026
Mold, Clwyd – April 28, 2026
Newbury, Berkshire – April 29, 2026
Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19, 2026
Northallerton, North Yorkshire – May 6, 2026
Ormskirk, Lancashire – Until the end of January 2027
Pontefract, West Yorkshire – May 5, 2026
Ramsgate, Kent – April 28, 2026
Redditch, Worcestershire – May 13, 2026
Ringwood, Hampshire – May 6, 2026
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire – April 29, 2026
Shirley, West Midlands – May 20, 2026
Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19, 2026
Stranraer, Wigtownshire – May 13, 2026
Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire – May 12, 2026
Tonbridge, Kent – April 29, 2026
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – May 5, 2026
Whitehaven, Cumbria – Until the end of January 2027
Wilmslow, Cheshire – Until the end of January 2027
Woking, Surrey – April 28, 2026.
