Major banks in the UK, including Banco Santander, Lloyds, and NatWest, are accelerating branch closures, with Santander shutting 95 branches and Lloyds planning to close 136 by 2026, impacting hundreds of jobs. This trend has contributed to a net reduction of 1,795 outlets in 2021 and 2022, alongside the closure of 12,804 chain stores in 2024, as retailers face rising costs and profit margin pressures. Sectors like pubs and pharmacies are particularly affected, with Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy also scaling back their high street presence.