Santander Closures

[goodgoalie]

Have just heard that Santander is closing 140 branches - very relieved that my local one is not among them. If you want to check, there's a list of closures here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46972633

[retrocop]

Thanks GG. My local branch closed about 3 years ago.Luckily I have two equi-distant. About 1 mile.

[retrocop]

Oooops. Spoke too soon. Both Cheam and Worcester Park are closing on 6th/19th June.

[goodgoalie]

A lot of people are going to be hurt by this. One of the closures is Helensburgh, a pretty big town.

[Lie-in King]

Mine - very annoyingly - closed a good while ago, now I've a choice between a long 2-bus journey & a bit of a walk or asking a neighbour for a lift. I rarely need to use a branch, but it does happen.

[goodgoalie]

Hope it's not on the list, LK

[Lie-in King]

Typically, it hadn't occurred to me to check! It isn't, thank goodness :-)

[chelle7272]

Thankfully mine is still open. I understand the way we bank is changing, but for some people it has a real impact and more should be in place to teach people about alternatives. Information about how to use a post office (if you can find one of those near you these days!) or training in how to bank by phone or online would help. In the area I used to live and still work, 4 banks have shut and it is now a 1 &1/2 mis to the nearest.

[jno]

I must admit I only go to a bank branch once a year, to set up a new account with a new introductory offer; and even that's more faff than I really want. (I'm not with Santander). I still use a cheque book for people who don't take credit cards, and I get paper statements; but mostly I buy things with cards and pay the card statements by direct debit and do big payments by online transfer. I seldom even withdraw cash from machines. Life has changed over the years, so I'm not surprised branches close.

[Ken4155]

Just heard on local radio that the Burnley branch is one of those affected. I don't bank with Santander but if i did, i would most likely transfer my custom elsewhere.

[retrocop]

Ken4155
Already considering my options now that my closest other two are on the list. I never liked the idea of my money being held by a Spanish concern.
I forget what the name of the original B.S. /Bank was called but it changed twice before being taken over by Santander.

[mumstheword1]

Ken4155 Abbey National and before that National Provincial. My local one closed couple of years ago so now use the main one in Southport which thankfully not on list

[retrocop]

Thanks mumstheword
You have jogged my memory re Abbey National. I was allowed to use their chequebook when Santander took over but I forgot National Povincial.

[Tuvok]

We had 3 at one time - and I remember commenting when they were all rebranded (previously those being Abbey National - Bradford and Bingley - Alliance and Leicester) that the leaflet about the rebranding said that none of the branches would be closed!

Only 1 now!

Some areas have now lost all banks.

[TonyV]

Both of my close ones are on the list but at least I have post office nearby. Didn't help when local Barclays closed local branch "due to lack of customers" I always had to wait to see a cashier.

[gingejbee]

...and don't forget that Alliance and Leicester took over all those National Girobank customers who were with the Post Office...that's how Santander have so many (mainly elderly) British customers!