Santander reveals closure programme putting 1,270 jobs at risk

Nearly, 1,300 jobs are at risk after Santander revealed plans to close 140 branches.

The bank put the move down to more people using online banking leading to a drop in footfall in its physical stores.

Branches under threat in the East Midlands include outlets in Gainsborough, Clumber Street in Nottingham, Buxton, Cleethorpes, Corby, Coalville, Birstall and branches at Evington Road and Uppingham Road in Leicester

Santander said it hopes to redeploy a third of the staff under threat and it is working with unions.

Susan Allen, Santander’s head of retail and business banking, said: “The way our customers are choosing to bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with more and more customers using online and mobile channels.

“As a result, we have had to take some very difficult decisions over our less-visited branches, and those where we have other branches in close proximity.

“We will support customers of closing branches to find alternative ways to bank with us that best suit their individual needs.

“We are also working alongside our unions to support colleagues through these changes and to find alternative roles for those impacted wherever possible.”