Santander has announced plans to shut its branch at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham, as part of nationwide closures this year.
The Hempstead Valley branch will permanently close on Thursday, 24 June. In a statement, the bank says it had taken the "difficult decision" because fewer customers were choosing to bank in-branch, due to a shift to mobile and online banking which has further accelerated during the pandemic. Adam Bishop, head of branches at Santander, said: "Our customers are continuing to change the way they manage their money. As well as using our branches, many more of our customers find it convenient to do their day-to-day banking using Online, Mobile or Telephone Banking. "Due to these changes, we have carefully and thoroughly reviewed the way we develop our services for customers and considered many factors, including where each of our branches are located and how they are used," he added. The announcement is part of a decision by Santander to shut 111 of its branches across the country this year, affecting about 840 staff. Once the Hempstead Valley branch closes, the only remaining Santander in Medway will be the branch in Chatham High Street. The news about the closure of Santander comes just a month after it was announced that Hempstead Valley's Dorothy Perkins and Wallis stores will also permanently close.
Mrs Linda Sherwood
25/3/2021 12:39:33
There is always a queue outside the Hempstead Valley Sava Centre. When I transferred to your bank last year a staff member told me they would be relocating to inside Sava Centre as they needed more space. Do not want to travel to Chatham, pay for parking and also lose more interest on 123 account. People want a personal service for many things including sorting finances with a bereavement. Bad 'move' for so many banks to close. 25/3/2021 20:46:44
Myself, my husband and my son all bank at hemostead valley ,do not want to go to Chatham. If it closes we will seriously think of changing our bank
Joanne Yuill
25/3/2021 21:07:09
Absolutely ridiculous decision, Santander is always so busy and always a que to get in. I will definitely be changing banks. We need this branch to stay at Hempstead Valley
Denize Halfpenny
25/3/2021 21:19:36
I have banked with Abbey and Santander for 46 years. Having had my own business for 8 years, I chose Santander because it is close and very convenient with a Saturday opening. The queues all the time are so long. There is inevitably always a wait unless an appointment has been booked. It always seems short staffed.
K Bichard
26/3/2021 10:25:25
The queues alone give reason that this branch is much needed in the community and as a convenience particularly for local businesses but also must be said for the elderly who don’t always have accessible online facilities and the necessary transport now needed to get get to Chatham. Chatham remaining open does not give me an option. As an long term customer of 35 years and to avoid the parking charges and inconvenience of travelling to Chatham it is one of the most ludicrous decisions. There are empty units within the Centre that Santander should consider a more worthy relocation and keep local for the community.
dee moore
26/3/2021 12:41:38
this closer is a blow to all your loyal customers. I have banked Santander for years and use the branch a lot. dont see how you can say branch NOT used as there is alway a queues outside. Let down by Santander and will be looking to bank elsewhere most likely Nat West as they have a branch in Rainham High Street. to say that the nearest branch is in Chatham is a joke as it is a bus ride away and not a place of lot of people would want to go anyway. I ask where is the customer care?
Susan linnell
31/3/2021 22:36:23
What about older people who dont have internet and rely on the walk in banks. Comments are closed.
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