Santander has revealed plans to close 44 of its UK bank branches in 2026, putting 291 jobs at risk. The Spain-based banking giant attributes these closures to a broader overhaul of its network, driven by an increasing shift among customers towards digital banking services.
Currently, 96% of Santander’s transactions are done through digital channels, underscoring the rapid rise in online banking adoption. This announcement follows last year’s closure of 95 branches, which impacted 750 employees.
UK CEO Mike Regnier previously confirmed that around 2,000 roles had been cut in the past year due to ongoing restructuring efforts, with further job reductions likely on the horizon.
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To maintain community presence despite the closures, Santander plans to deploy “community bankers” who will serve customers from Santander Local stores and banking hubs, fostering local engagement.
Post-closure, Santander’s network will consist of 244 full branches, alongside 19 counter-free branches, 36 reduced-hour branches, six work cafés, and 111 Santander Locals. The bank remains committed to investing millions in its remaining branches, having refurbished over 220 sites in six years, with more than 30 additional refurbishments planned for the coming year.
A Santander spokesperson said, “In response to the significant customer shift towards digital banking, we are adapting our branch network to better support how customers choose to bank. We will continue to invest in both our physical branches and digital services to offer flexible banking options.”
The branch closures coincide with Santander’s impending £2.65 billion acquisition of UK banking rival TSB, expected to finalize later this quarter. This deal will bring a fresh wave of branches into Santander’s portfolio.
Branches closing in April 2026:
- 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
Branches closing in May 2026:
- 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
- Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19
- Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19
- Banbridge, County Down – May 19
- Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20
- Shirley, West Midlands – May 20
Branches closing by January 2027:
- Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
- Ormskirk, Lancashire
- Whitehaven, Cumbria
- Wilmslow, Cheshire