By John Baron
Santander has announced plans to close 95 of its high street branches across the UK – including its branch in Pudsey.
The high street bank said its customers were increasingly shifting to banking online and said it was aiming to start closing almost a quarter of its 444 branches this year. The decision puts 750 employees at risk of losing their jobs.
The Pudsey branch on Lidget Hill will close on Monday, 28 July 2025 at 3pm.
Santander say support will also be available in branches at Petergate Mall, Bradford, and at Briggate in Leeds city centre.
They say 74% of Pudsey branch customers have used online, mobile or telephone services.
“Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers,” a Santander spokesperson said.
“Our customers are continuing to change the way they manage their money. Many are choosing to use mobile, online and telephone banking more, and branches less.
“Across our network in the ten-week period leading up to 12 December 2024, branch transactions fell 21% compared with the same period in 2023.
“Over the past five years we have also seen a 63% increase in the number of transactions that customers choose to complete digitally, whilst we have seen a 61% reduction in branch transactions over the same period.
“Before deciding to close this branch, we reviewed the ways we serve our customers. We also looked at where our branches are located, how they’re used, and the other local banking options available.”
As part of the changes, Santander will also reduce hours at 36 branches and remove the front counters out of 18 others.
Councillor Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said: “We’ve just been informed that the Pudsey Branch of Santander will be closing. Our first thoughts are with the dedicated staff, and we sincerely hope they can be redeployed with no job losses.”
Councillor Trish Smith (Ind, Pudsey) said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that our Santander branch is set to close. It will leave Pudsey town centre with only one bank and the Post Office, giving one less reason for people to come into Pudsey.
“This is sadly another blow to high streets up and down the country and a particular blow to Pudsey at a time we’re starting to see positive growth in our own high street.
“My thoughts are especially with the staff who will now lose their jobs through this closure.
“Access to cash is so important, especially for those on a fixed income who use cash transactions to help them manage their finances. I accept most people now use online banking and pay by card, but with transaction charges for card payments now accounting for a large chunk of a businesses turnover, it’s eating into vital profit margins – Cash is King!
“I’ve tried to highlight this over the past few years with initiatives like the Pudsey Lottery and have even looked into the possibility of a Banking Hub – with no luck yet. We need to keep cash circulating and continue shopping as locally as possible.”
Consumer group Which? said Santander’s decision to close almost a quarter of its network “will come as a real blow to many customers”.
Santander is also closing its branches in Morley and Ilkley. Both towns will now be without a bank branch and are being recommended to receive a banking hub.
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I often pass this branch on weekday lunchtimes and people are queueing out the door to see one of the tellers. Where are those customers going to go once the branch shuts?