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South Wales East Senedd member Peredur Owen Griffiths has criticised bank Santander for its response to concerns over the closure of its branch in Blackwood.

Blackwood has been named in a list of 95 branch closures by the Spanish bank – which first entered the UK market in 2004 with its takeover of former building society Abbey National. National media reports have previously speculated whether the bank is gearing up for a UK exit.

The High Street branch in Blackwood will close its doors for good on June 23, while the Caerphilly branch will have its hours reduced, opening only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am to 3pm, from June 30.

Plaid Cymru MS Mr Owen Griffiths, who used to work at the Santander branch in Blackwood, last month wrote to Santander questioning why Blackwood was closing and Caerphilly was reducing its opening hours.

Urging Santander to reverse its decision, he wrote: “Loyal Santander customers relied on it for their banking and the personal touch they got inside the branch.

“The branch was also invaluable to the thriving businesses of the town centre who will be forced to travel much further afield when banking their takings.

“In making this decision, have you considered the impact upon the digitally disenfranchised? I have been the Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Older People and know how much of a problem branch closures are.”

In its response to the MS, the bank said it plans to introduce a community service working out of libraries and other places once a week for customers to see staff face-to-face and also highlighted that customers could withdraw and pay-in cash at post offices as well as visit the Caerphilly branch (despite its reduced opening hours).

Mr Owen Griffiths said he was “deeply disappointed” by the response.

He said: “Banks like Santander make huge annual profits and their loyal customers are a big reason for this.

“This is a poor way of repaying people in Blackwood and the surrounding area for their custom over the years.

“I am deeply disappointed that large corporations such as Santander are quick to forget the customers – not to mention the staff in branches like Blackwood – who make their business the success it is.

“I would not be surprised if Santander customers now vote with their feet and take their business elsewhere.”
Santander is the latest in a long line of national banks closing its branches. Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, and Lloyds have all closed outlets across Caerphilly County Borough in recent years.