Joyce seeks assurances for staff at Santander’s closing Pembroke branch

Local Assembly Member Joyce Watson sought assurances for the future of staff at Santander’s closing Pembroke branch.

The Main Street branch in Pembroke is scheduled to close on 9 May 2019.

Mrs Watson said:

“This is a bitter blow for Pembroke, and for our high streets.

“In towns like Pembroke banks serve a vital function. This planned closure will impact heavily, particularly for older and vulnerable people who have difficulty using online services, and in light of previous bank closures.

“I am seeking assurances about the training, welfare and support being offered to the branch’s staff.

“Santander have said that they hope to find new roles for a third of workers in this round of closures, but I worry that employees in branches where relocation is less likely will be most at risk of redundancy.”

The bank says that the planned closures are in response to customers’ increasing use of online and telephone banking services. Pembroke is one of six Santander branches in Wales and 140 branches across the UK set to close. The other Welsh branches are Ammanford, Penarth, Tonypandy, Llangefni and Monmouth.

Other high street banks have also closed branches in recent times. Consumer group Which? say that over 3,100 branches have closed or are planned to close since 2015, at a rate of more than 60 a month.