COMMUNITY CHIEFS have expressed their disappointment at plans to shut two branches of a bank in Southampton.

Yesterday, Santander announced it will shut 111 of its branches across the country, including two in Southampton.

The Shirley High Street branch is planned to close on July 8, closely followed by the Bitterne Road site on August 5.

The company claims closures are in response to an ongoing shift by customers towards mobile and online banking with the trend being accelerated by the pandemic but now community chiefs have said they are disappointed with the decision.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes and ward councillor for Shirley, Cllr Satvir Kaur said “many local residents used and relied on” the Shirley branch.

She added: “There is a still a problem around digital inclusion in the city and I hope this is considered and looked into so the bank can effectively support all it’s customers.

“I am however pleased to see efforts made by Santander to protect local jobs at a time when so many are struggling. As we head into a national recession, it is important we all continue to support our local branches and businesses.”

Although branch transactions fell by a third over the two years before the pandemic, and dropped by a further 50 per cent in 2020, mobile and online transactions have been growing by 20 per cent each year, with almost two thirds of transactions now digital.

Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said the closures are “disappointing but not surprising given the steady trend to online banking over the last few years.

“Santander has given assurances about maintaining banking provision for customers and helping to redeploy staff. We call on them to keep their word.

“Online banking will continue to grow, offering the prospect of new jobs in banking and its supply chain to offset the loss of front-of-house roles.”

The Communication Workers Union has claimed it has reached a ground-breaking agreement with Santander on new ways of working to preserve jobs.

Despite this though, Southampton MP, Royston Smith branded the closures “very concerning” and added that his thoughts are for those whose jobs could be at risk.