Santander has confirmed it will close 26 branches across the UK in May 2026, delivering yet another setback to the nation's high streets. The closures reflect the ongoing shift in customer behaviour towards digital banking, a trend that has accelerated in recent years.
Industry-Wide Trend
According to consumer champion Which?, more than 6,700 bank branches have closed in the UK since January 2015, representing roughly 68 per cent of the entire network. Significant cuts have continued into 2026, with Santander alone closing 95 branches in 2025. The bank attributed these closures to a 64 per cent increase in digital transactions since 2019 and a 66 per cent reduction in in-branch transactions over the same period.
Banking Hubs to Replace Some Branches
To mitigate the impact on customers, many of the closing locations will be replaced by banking hubs. These hubs provide a physical presence where customers can access essential financial services, ensuring that communities still have access to brick-and-mortar banking facilities.
Full List of Santander Branches Closing in May 2026
- Andover, Hampshire – May 12
- Banbridge, County Down – May 19
- Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – May 12
- Cwmbran, Gwent – May 13
- Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – May 12
- Glengormley, County Antrim – May 6
- Golders Green, London – May 13
- Gosport, Hampshire – May 5
- Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – May 5
- Heswall, Merseyside – May 13
- Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – May 5
- Leyland, Lancashire – May 6
- Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20
- Macclesfield, Cheshire – May 12
- Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – May 6
- Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – May 6
- Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19
- Northallerton, North Yorkshire – May 6
- Pontefract, West Yorkshire – May 5
- Redditch, Worcestershire – May 13
- Ringwood, Hampshire – May 6
- Shirley, West Midlands – May 20
- Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19
- Stranraer, Wigtownshire – May 13
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – May 12
- Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – May 5
The closures are part of a broader restructuring in the banking sector as institutions adapt to changing customer preferences. Santander has emphasised its commitment to maintaining access to banking services through alternative channels, including digital platforms and banking hubs.
