Santander has confirmed plans to close 40 branches across the UK high street during April and May. Earlier this year, the Spanish banking giant announced a wider programme involving 44 closures, with four additional branches scheduled to close permanently by January 2027. The move has placed around 291 jobs at risk.
Closures Begin in Late April
The first wave of shutdowns will take place at the end of April, when 13 branches will close permanently on April 28 and April 29. A second and larger phase of closures will follow in May, with 27 branches scheduled to shut their doors for the final time by May 20.
Santander said the decision reflects a major shift in how customers manage their money, with the majority now choosing digital banking instead of visiting physical branches.
High Street Banking Presence Continues to Shrink
The bank is not alone in reducing its high street footprint. Many UK lenders have been closing branches as online and mobile banking become more popular. Last year, Santander also revealed plans to close 95 locations — roughly a quarter of its entire UK branch network.
Lloyds Banking Group has announced similar changes, with more than 100 branches due to close by March as part of its ongoing restructuring programme.
Concerns Raised Over Impact on Vulnerable Customers
The continuing closure of bank branches has drawn criticism from MPs and community organisations. Critics argue that elderly customers and people without reliable internet access could struggle to manage their finances if local banking services disappear.
Campaigners have also warned that people in rural areas may face difficulties travelling long distances to reach the nearest branch.
Banking Hubs and Post Offices to Provide Services
Santander said customers will still be able to access essential banking services through nearby banking hubs. These shared facilities are funded by major high street banks and operated by the not-for-profit organisation Cash Access UK.
Many of these hubs are run through local Post Office branches, allowing customers from different banks to access cash withdrawals, deposits, and everyday banking services in one location.
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According to Santander, around 96 percent of all transactions are now completed through online or mobile banking platforms.
Santander Says Investment Will Continue
A spokesperson for Santander said the bank will continue investing in different types of branches as well as digital services.
The bank currently operates a mix of traditional full-service branches, counter-free locations, reduced-hour branches, Santander Local outlets, and work café spaces designed for customers who want flexible banking support.
Nationwide Takes a Different Approach
While many banks are shrinking their branch networks, Nationwide Building Society has taken a different position. The organisation has promised to keep all of its remaining 696 branches open until at least 2030.
Nationwide said customer visits to its branches increased during the past year, though it had already closed around 10 percent of its locations before making the long-term pledge in 2023.
Full List of Santander Branch Closures in April and May 2026
Andover, Hampshire – 12 May 2026
Banbridge, County Down – 19 May 2026
Bangor, County Down – 29 April 2026
Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland – 28 April 2026
Bishop Auckland, County Durham – 05 May 2026
Boston, Lincolnshire – 28 April 2026
Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – 12 May 2026
Bridgwater, Somerset – 29 April 2026
Cwmbran, Gwent – 13 May 2026
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – 12 May 2026
Evesham, Worcestershire – 28 April 2026
Glengormley, County Antrim – 06 May 2026
Golders Green, London – 13 May 2026
Gosport, Hampshire – 05 May 2026
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – 05 May 2026
Heswall, Merseyside – 13 May 2026
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – 05 May 2026
Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire – 29 April 2026
Leyland, Lancashire – 06 May 2026
Liskeard, Cornwall – 20 May 2026
Macclesfield, Cheshire – 12 May 2026
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – 06 May 2026
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – 29 April 2026
Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – 06 May 2026
Mold, Clwyd – 28 April 2026
Newbury, Berkshire – 29 April 2026
Newton Abbot, Devon – 19 May 2026
Northallerton, North Yorkshire – 06 May 2026
Pontefract, West Yorkshire – 05 May 2026
Ramsgate, Kent – 28 April 2026
Redditch, Worcestershire – 13 May 2026
Ringwood, Hampshire – 06 May 2026
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire – 29 April 2026
Shirley, West Midlands – 20 May 2026
Stafford, Staffordshire – 19 May 2026
Stranraer, Wigtownshire – 13 May 2026
Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire – 12 May 2026
Tonbridge, Kent – 29 April 2026
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – 05 May 2026
Woking, Surrey – 28 April 2026
