Santander cutting Elgin opening hours
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Santander has confirmed it is cutting opening hours across hundreds of its UK branches as part of a huge shake-up.
Opening hours will change permanently from July 18 and will also affect its branches in Turriff, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Aberdeen
In a statement the bank said: "The way many customers manage their money and banking has continued to change and the recent pandemic has accelerated this.
"Fewer customers are visiting our branches and many are finding it convenient to use Mobile or Online Banking or contact us by telephone for their day-to-day banking.
"So, we’ve looked at how we can help our branch staff to continue providing a face-to-face service as well as supporting those customers that now prefer to contact us by telephone.
"If you need help that we can’t provide using Mobile, Online or Telephone Banking or during our branch opening hours, please call us on 0330 9 123 123.
"We’ll then work with you to understand how best we can help.
"Where necessary we will be able to help arrange a branch appointment in line with our previous branch opening hours."
The reduction will see branches opening at 9.30am, but closing at 3pm rather than 4.30pm during the week.
Customers will still be able to book appointments between 3pm and 5pm if they need support that can't be provided earlier in the day.
Furthermore, 316 branches will move to half-day Saturday opening, closing at 12.30pm, rather than 4pm.
Again, customers will be able to book face-to-face appointments after the earlier closing time.
Dr Jackie Mulligan, the founder of ShopAppy, called Santander's announcement "a significant blow" for independent retailers.
She said: "Banks bring all-important footfall.
"The shift to digital banking is irreversible, but so too is the damage caused by banks reducing their presence or opening hours on our high streets.
"Our message to consumers is, if you have less to spend, spend it wisely.
"Don't spend it with the online giants but with the local businesses that are the bedrock of your communities.
"Right now, they are depending on your custom more than ever."
