Santander Bank Branch Closures 2025: Impact, Alternatives, and Digital Shift

Santander Bank Branch Closures UK in 2025. Learn about the closures, impacted jobs, and alternative banking options. Stay updated on Santander’s digital shift and community banking initiatives.

Summary: Santander Bank has announced the closure of 95 branches across the UK, impacting approximately 750 jobs, as part of a strategic shift towards digital banking. The bank will also reduce hours at 36 branches and remove front counters from 18 others. In response to the growing trend of online banking, Santander is focusing on digital services and community support through “community bankers” and “work cafés.”

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Santander Bank Branch Closures 2025: Navigating the Digital Transition

Santander Bank has announced a significant restructuring of its UK branch network, signaling a major shift in its operational strategy. The decision, which includes the closure of 95 branches, the reduction of hours at 36 locations, and the removal of front counters from 18 others, reflects the accelerating trend of customers moving towards digital banking. This move has sparked concerns about accessibility for vulnerable customers and the impact on local communities.

The Scale of Santander’s Branch Closures

The sheer scale of Santander’s planned closures is noteworthy. With 95 branches set to close, nearly a quarter of the bank’s UK network will be affected. This reduction will leave Santander with 349 branches, down from 444. This significant downsizing aligns with the broader trend of high street banks reducing their physical presence as digital banking becomes increasingly prevalent.

Impact on Employment

The closures will place approximately 750 jobs at risk, a substantial figure that has raised concerns among unions and local communities. The majority of these redundancies are directly linked to the branch closures, with a smaller portion resulting from reduced hours at other locations.

Job Risk Breakdown:
- Approximately 750 jobs at risk.
- Majority due to branch closures.
- Approximately 12% due to reduced hours.

Geographical Impact: Surrey and Beyond

The impact of these closures will be felt across the UK, with specific regions like Surrey experiencing significant changes. For example, the Farnham branch in Surrey is scheduled for closure, along with branches in Croydon and Fleet.

Surrey and Surrounding Closures:
- Farnham, The Borough (July 29th closure)
- Fleet, Fleet Road (June 30th closure)
- Croydon North End (June 16th Closure)

Reduced Branch Hours

In addition to closures, Santander will be reducing opening hours at 36 branches. From June 30th, most of these branches will operate on a reduced schedule, typically three days a week.

Reduced Hour Schedules:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Saturdays: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Counter-Free Branches

Santander will also convert 18 branches to counter-free models from June 16th. While these branches will no longer have traditional front counters, they will still be staffed to provide face-to-face support. The bank has indicated that these branches will typically have around eight staff members present.

The Digital Shift: Why Santander Is Closing Branches

Santander has attributed its decision to the rapid increase in digital banking adoption. The bank reports a 63% surge in digital transactions since 2019, coupled with a 61% decline in branch transactions during the same period. This trend reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior, with more customers opting for online and mobile banking.

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Digital Transaction Growth

The significant increase in digital transactions underscores the changing landscape of banking. Customers are increasingly comfortable managing their finances online, reducing the need for physical branches.

Digital Transaction Growth:
- 63% increase since 2019.
- 61% decrease in branch transactions since 2019.

Community Bankers and Work Cafés

To mitigate the impact of branch closures, Santander is introducing “community bankers” who will provide support in local communities. Additionally, the bank is expanding its network of “work cafés,” which offer a blend of banking services and workspace facilities.

Community Bankers:
- 95 new community bankers to serve affected areas.
- Providing weekly support in local facilities.
Work Cafés:
- Expanding network of hubs combining banking and workspace.
- Current locations include Cheapside and High Street Kensington in London.

Addressing Customer Concerns and Vulnerability

The decision to close branches has raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable customers who may rely on in-person banking services. Santander has stated that it will proactively contact potentially vulnerable customers by phone and provide assistance in finding alternative banking solutions.

Banking Hubs and Alternative Access

To ensure continued access to cash and banking services, 18 new banking hubs are planned in areas affected by the closures. These hubs, facilitated by Cash Access UK, aim to fill the gap left by closing branches. Link, which oversees the UK’s cash machine network, has recommended the following locations for new banking hubs:

Recommended Banking Hub Locations:
- Bexhill-on-Sea
- Billericay
- Dover
- Droitwich
- Dunstable
- East Grinstead
- Holyhead
- Ilkley
- Larne
- Maldon
- Morley
- North Walsham
- Redcar
- Saffron Walden
- St Annes-on-Sea
- Turriff
- Uckfield
- Urmston

Regulatory Requirements and Consumer Protection

Banks and building societies in the UK are required to assess the impact of branch closures on access to cash. If reasonable access is not maintained, they must provide alternative facilities, such as shared banking hubs. Consumer groups like Which? have emphasized the need for swift implementation of these hubs and have called on the government to ensure that banks meet their commitments.

Table of Key Changes

Change Type	Details	Impact
Branch Closures	95 Branches closed	750 jobs at risk, reduced physical access
Reduced Hours	36 Branches with reduced hours	Limited in person banking times
Counter-Free Branches	18 Branches converted	Change in branch format, still staffed
Digital Shift	63% increase in digital transactions	Move to online banking
Community Bankers	95 Community Bankers	Local support for customers
Banking Hubs	18 new hubs planned	Maintained cash access

Public and Political Reactions

The announcement has drawn criticism from MPs and consumer groups, who have expressed concerns about the impact on rural communities and vulnerable individuals. There are concerns that some people will be “frozen out” of normal banking.

Consumer Group Concerns

Consumer groups like Which? have voiced concerns about the accessibility of banking services, particularly for those who rely on cash. They have called for the accelerated rollout of banking hubs and urged the government to hold banks accountable for their commitments.

Positive Retail News

While Santander’s closures reflect a trend of high street decline, other retailers are bucking this trend. Superdrug has announced plans to open 25 new stores, creating 600 jobs. This indicates that while banking is moving online, other retail sectors are still investing in physical locations.

Conclusion

Santander’s decision to close nearly a quarter of its UK branches is a significant move that reflects the ongoing shift towards digital banking. While this transition offers convenience for many, it also raises concerns about accessibility for vulnerable customers and the impact on local communities.

The introduction of community bankers, the expansion of work cafés, and the establishment of banking hubs are steps aimed at mitigating these impacts. Moving forward, it will be crucial for banks, regulators, and consumer groups to work together to ensure that everyone has access to essential banking services.

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