SANTANDER bank has announced the closure of its branch in Great Malvern.
The bank on Worcester Road, Malvern will close on July 2, 2025 (3pm). It is one of 95 Santander branches set for closure in the UK following the firm’s recent announcement.
The town’s MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has echoed residents concerns following the news and has pledged to raise said concerns with relevant individuals.
Dame Harriett said: “I am sure Santander customers in Malvern will be concerned and I urge anyone who feels they will be badly affected to get in touch and I will write to the chief executive to raise their concerns.”
Although Malvern is suffering another branch closure, LINK – who determines a town’s eligibility for a banking hub – has confirmed Malvern remains an unviable area for such a service.
LINK has wrote to Dame Harriett Baldwin to confirm the closure will not trigger the need for a multi-bank hub in Malvern. Currently, Malvern has a Nationwide Building Society and a Post Office.
Santander announced the closures on Wednesday (March 19) in response to a change in banking habits in recent years. More are banking online than ever before and usage of branches remains low.
Despite this, there are many people still reliant on face-to-face banking services such as business owners and those without access to or understanding of modern technology.
According to Santander’s review of branches in 2021, 92 per cent of branch customers are using a variety of banking methods, 74 per cent of branch customers use online, mobile or telephone banking services, and 32 per cent use other Santander branches.
The other nearest Santander branches to the one in Malvern are in Worcester (8.7 miles away) and Hereford (20.72 miles away), both of which are more than a 30 minute journey from Malvern via public transport.
A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: “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.”
Call Dame Harriett’s constituency office on 01684 585165.
