Santander UK to Slash One-Fifth of Branches, Over 1,200 Jobs Under Threat

"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," Susan Allen, Head of Retail and Business Banking, said in a press release. 

Ms. Allen said that the bank will help customers of closing branches to find "alternatives" that "suit their individual needs", adding that Santander was working with trade unions and roughly 1,270 employees faced with "these changes and to find alternative roles for those impacted wherever possible". 

The bank's remaining 614 branches will consist of larger branches offering "improved community facilities" and smaller branches with updated technologies.

A wave of high street closures have hit the UK in recent years, with consumer group Which? stating that businesses have announced roughly 3,100 closures since 2015, or 60 shops per month. 

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"These closures will come as a blow for all those who rely on access to traditional banking services," Gareth Shaw, head of Which? Money said in a press statement. 

"Despite the switch to digital ways of banking and paying, millions of consumers still need access to cash," Mr. Shaw said. "It is vital for a regulator to be given responsibility for ensuring that people have access to the services they rely on."

UK businesses have been hit hard by an exodus of jobs, with His Majesty's Voice filing for administration for the second time since 2013 in late December, with Sports Direct retail mogul Mike Ashley in talks to buy the failing company in January. Other companies such as Dyson, Jaguar Land Rover, Renault-Nissan, Groupe PSA, Toyota, Philips and others have said they will move operations abroad in order to allow for "unfettered" access to the European market.