HASLEMERE will be left with just one bank - Lloyds - following the announcement yesterday (Jan 23) by Spanish-owned bank Santander that the Wey Hill branch is one of 140 earmarked for closure - putting 1,270 jobs at risk nationally.

The bank blamed the closures on “changes in how customers are choosing to carry out their banking” and said branch transactions have fallen 23 per cent in the last three years, while digital transactions have soared 99 per cent.

When Haslemere Santander carried out speedy repairs to its cash machine in order to reopen following last year’s ram raid, many saw that as a sign it was there for the long term.

Instead, the branch will shut on April 25 - also leaving the town with one less cash machine.

Customers who prefer face to face banking will have a long way to go - the Godalming branch is shutting on June 6 and the Guildford High Street branch closes on December 12.

Susan Allen, head of retail and business banking, said: “The way our customers are choosing to bank with us has changed dramatically in recent years, with more and more customers using online and mobile channels. As a result, we have had to take some very difficult decisions over our less visited branches, and those where we have other branches in close proximity.

“We will support customers of closing branches to find alternative ways to bank with us that best suit their individual needs. We are also working alongside our unions to support colleagues through these changes and to find alternative roles for those impacted wherever possible. ”

The bank said its remaining network of 614 branches will be made up of larger branches offering improved community facilities and smaller branches using the latest technology to offer more convenience. It plans to spend £55m over the next two years refurbishing 100 branches to fit its new branch vision.

Santander data for its Haslemere branch claims 91 percent of customers already use a variety of ways to bank, 39 percent also use another branch and 61 percent use online, mobile or telephone services.