The banking giants are continuing their push to close branches saying people are moving towards online banking
17:01, 26 Apr 2026Updated 17:02, 26 Apr 2026
NatWest is closing some of its branches(Image: Google)
Customers of two of Britain’s largest banks are pushing ahead with branch closures as the financial institutions restructure how they deliver their services. Both Santander and NatWest have announced they are shutting dozens of branches as consumers increasingly shift towards online banking.
Many of these will have closed by the end of May, with numerous others shutting their doors before summer draws to a close. Santander will shut 40 branches before May 20, with the first of these closing on Tuesday, April 28.
Making the announcement in January, the Spanish banking giant revealed it was closing a total of 44 branches, with the initial four going that month. It subsequently confirmed a further 40 branches would close by the end of May, owing to a rising number of customers choosing to use online services. The bank disclosed that 96 per cent of all customer transactions are now handled through digital platforms.
NatWest, meanwhile, is closing 15 of its branches nationwide by the end of May. It will shut a further 14 in June, then five more by the end of September. Three are also scheduled to close next year, reports the Mirror.
Branches of Santander will continue to close from Tuesday(Image: Getty)
It announced the decision in January when it outlined the move and its implications for customers. It stated most of its branches would be replaced by banking hubs where customers would still be able to access face-to-face services. In a statement on its website, the bank said: “Banking has changed dramatically in recent years. There’s more demand for mobile and online services, allowing you to benefit from a faster and easier way to bank.”
“We understand the closure of your local branch will bring some changes, and we want to make sure you are fully informed and supported every step of the way.” The bank added that further details could be found in its closure guides on its website.
The next round of closures gets under way on Tuesday. The complete list of affected branches and their scheduled closing dates is set out below.
Santander
Branches closing in April 2026:
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – April 28Boston, Lincolnshire – April 28Evesham, Worcestershire – April 28Mold, Clwyd – April 28Ramsgate, Kent – April 28Woking, Surrey – April 28Bangor, County Down – April 29Bridgwater, Somerset – April 29Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire – April 29Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – April 29Newbury, Berkshire – April 29Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire – April 29Tonbridge, Kent – April 29
Branches closing in May 2026
Bishop Auckland, County Durham – May 5Gosport, Hampshire – May 5Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – May 5Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – May 5Pontefract, West Yorkshire – May 5Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – May 5Glengormley, County Antrim – May 6Leyland, Lancashire – May 6Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – May 6Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – May 6Northallerton, North Yorkshire – May 6Ringwood, Hampshire – May 6Andover, Hampshire – May 12Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – May 12Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – May 12Macclesfield, Cheshire – May 12Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – May 12Cwmbran, Gwent – May 13Golders Green, London – May 13Heswall, Merseyside – May 13Redditch, Worcestershire – May 13Stranraer, Wigtownshire – May 13Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19Banbridge, County Down – May 19Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20Shirley, West Midlands – May 20NatWest
Branches closing in May
Barnet: 11/5/2026Eastcote: 11/5/2026Ashford (Middlesex): 12/5/2026Cheetham Hill: 12/5/26Portishead: 12/5/2026Brentwood: 13/5/2026Hartlepool: 14/5/2026Loughton: 18/5/2026Tooting: 18/5/26Hove: 19/5/2026Chorlton-cum-Hardy: 20/5/26Harlow: 21/5/2026Hornchurch: 21/5/2026Orpington: 27/5/2026Waltham Cross: 28/5/2026
Branches closing in June
Hemel Hempstead: 1/6/2026Palmers Green, London: 1/6/2026Aldershot: 2/6/2026Welwyn Garden City: 3/6/2026Pontefract: 4/6/2026Southall: 4/6/2026Sheffield – Attercliffe: 8/6/2026South Shields : 9/6/2026Kirkby Lonsdale: 10/6/2026Boston: 11/6/2026Grays: 15/6/2026Fulham Broadway: 18/6/2026Liverpool Street Station: 17/6/2026Halifax: 18/6/2026
Branches closing in August
Branches closing in September
Regent Street, London: 30/9/2026
Branches closing in February 2027
Godalming: 23/2/2027 unless a banking hub is set up earlier which will bring this date forwardHerne Bay: 24/2/2027Sydenham: 23/2/27 or later if a banking hub is still to be found