Santander on Gillingham High Street will be closing next year.

The bank is closing 22 branches across the country including Gillingham which will close on May 31.

A branch closure impact assessment has been released and explains why they have come to the decision.

It reads: “We continue to invest in our branch network and over the last five years all of our largest and busiest branches across the UK have been refurbished.

“Increasingly however, customers are changing the way they choose to bank.

“In addition to using our branches, more and more people are banking with us by phone, online on tablets and smart phones as well as a cash machines and Post Offices.

“As a result some of our branches are being used less often.

“We don’t take the decision to close any branch lightly and we assess each branch individually to understand the potential impact for customers and the alternative options available to bank locally.”

The report says 57% of customers use online, mobile or telephone banking services already and 64% already use another branch.

Santander in Gillingham is used less often than Chatham, which is 1.4 miles away, and Hempstead Valley, which is 3.7 miles away.

All customers of the branch will receive a letter and posters are being displayed in the branch.

You can contact the helpline on 0800 085 0879 or email communityengagement@santander.co.uk for more information.