Santander confirms Bishop Auckland branch closure as part of UK-wide shake-up

Santander has confirmed plans to close its Bishop Auckland branch as part of a wider move towards digital banking services.

The bank announced that the County Durham branch will close on May 5, as part of a programme that will see 44 Santander branches shut across the UK during 2026.

The Spain-based banking group said the decision forms part of a wider overhaul of its branch network, reflecting changes in customer behaviour and a growing shift towards online and digital services.

Santander has confirmed that 291 jobs are at risk of redundancy as a result of the planned closures.

The Bishop Auckland closure is one of several affecting the North East and surrounding areas. Santander’s branch in Berwick-upon-Tweed is set to close on April 28, while the Northallerton branch in North Yorkshire will shut on May 6.

Santander said it continues to review how customers use its services, with fewer people visiting branches in person and more choosing to bank digitally.

A full list of Santander branch closures confirmed for 2026 is outlined below.

Full list of Santander UK branch closures in 2026:

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – April 28
Boston, Lincolnshire – April 28
Evesham, Worcestershire – April 28
Mold, Clwyd – April 28
Ramsgate, Kent – April 28

Bangor, County Down – April 29
Bridgwater, Somerset – April 29
Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire – April 29
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – April 29
Newbury, Berkshire – April 29
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire – April 29
Tonbridge, Kent – April 29

Bishop Auckland, County Durham – May 5
Gosport, Hampshire – May 5
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – May 5
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – May 5
Pontefract, West Yorkshire – May 5
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – May 5

Glengormley, County Antrim – May 6
Leyland, Lancashire – May 6
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – May 6
Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – May 6
Northallerton, North Yorkshire – May 6
Ringwood, Hampshire – May 6

Andover, Hampshire – May 12
Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – May 12
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – May 12
Macclesfield, Cheshire – May 12
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – May 12

Cwmbran, Gwent – May 13
Golders Green, London – May 13
Heswall, Merseyside – May 13
Redditch, Worcestershire – May 13
Stranraer, Wigtownshire – May 13

Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19
Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19
Banbridge, County Down – May 19

Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20
Shirley, West Midlands – May 20