ST AUSTELL is set to lose another high street bank as Santander announces the closure of its branch in the town, part of a nationwide cutback affecting 95 locations across the UK.

The move is part of the bank’s strategy to adapt to changing customer habits, with more people opting for online banking.

However, the closure of their Fore Street branch raises concerns for local residents and businesses who rely on in-person services, while also contributing to the broader decline of traditional banking on the high street.

As part of the changes, Santander will also reduce hours at 36 branches and remove the front counters out of 18 others. The closures - which are putting 750 jobs at risk - will leave the company with 349 branches, down from 444.

Santander confirmed that locations affected will be covered by new Santander Community Bankers providing face-to-face money management and general support for customers, visiting local communities weekly, as well as attending local Banking Hubs.

The bank is also investing in more Work Cafés, with two new Work Cafés recently opened, and an additional site to be announced shortly. The Work Café concept, which Santander is rolling out globally, provides a hub for local communities and businesses, including co-working space, superfast Wi-Fi and dedicated event space - which can be accessed for free by customers and non-customers alike.

“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.

The bank said today that financial transactions completed in branches had fallen 61 per cent since 2019, while the use of internet banking to open accounts and conduct banking rose.

As well as the St Austell branch, which is earmarked to close on July 8, others in Cornwall named on the list of 95 are Camborne, Falmouth and Launceston.