Santander has announced plans to update its branch network from June 2025, which include closing 95 of the bank’s existing 444 branches.
These locations will be covered by new Santander Community Bankers providing face-to-face money management and general support for customers, visiting local communities weekly, as well as attending local Banking Hubs.
Approximately 750 colleagues would be placed at risk of redundancy if the proposals proceed after consultation with the unions has been completed.
The bank will be changing the format of a number of branches to include 18 counter-free and 36 reduced hours branches, alongside its 290 full-service branches and five Work Cafés.
The Work Café concept, which Santander is rolling out globally, provides a hub for local communities and businesses, including a co-working space, superfast WiFi and a dedicated event space – which can be accessed for free by customers and non-customers alike.
In addition to the bank’s Work Cafés, it has invested tens of millions of pounds in a branch investment programme over the last two years, refurbishing 99 branches, with a further 50 branches due to be completed over the coming year.
The bank also continues to enhance its mobile banking app, chat service and telephone banking to support customers.
