Santander has announced a major change to more than 300 of its branches across the UK, including in Gloucestershire.

The opening hours of hundreds of its branches will change on Saturdays, the bank confirmed on Thursday. 

Instead of being open from 9.30 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, the banks will operate on a half-day service. 

The shakeup will see the branches close at 12.30 pm instead.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: A Santander branch (PA)A Santander branch (PA)

Plus on weekdays branches will now shut at 3 pm instead of the usual 4.30 pm. 

The changes are expected to come into effect from July 18.

As always, you will be able to contact customer service online from 8 am until 8 pm Monday to Friday. 

Customers will also be able to reach the help desk on Saturday and Sunday online from 9 am to 5 pm. 

The bank has also said that branch staff will still be available for pre-booked face-to-face appointments between 3 pm and 5 pm if you need support and you can't use the above channels or get to the bank earlier today.

Customers will see changes to the Santander branches across the UK including Cirencester, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

This is part of a move toward focusing on digital banking and reflects when customers are most likely to visit the branches according to the bank. 

Richard Owen, head of branches at Santander, said: “We have seen a continuing reduction in branch usage over several years, both before and since the peak of the pandemic, with many customers preferring to transact digitally or contact us by phone.

“These changes will enable us to maintain our existing branch network while providing significant additional capacity to help customers who want to talk to us by phone.”

Back in March 2021, Santander announced the closure of 11 branches.