Just a day after news broke that a town’s high street bank was to close, a councillor has issued his plea for it to remain open.
HSBC revealed yesterday that Arnold was included on a list of 114 branches they will close across the UK next year.
The banking giant blames the rise in online and mobile banking for the closures.
The announcement prompted quick action from Gedling Borough Council’s deputy leader Councillor Michael Payne.
He shared his letter to the bank’s chief executive on social media earlier today (1) .
He said: “I’ve written to the Chief Executive of HSBC UK to urge him to reconsider the proposed closure of our Arnold HSBC branch.
“Losing another bank branch from Arnold town centre and our borough will have a detrimental impact on so many residents.
“In the middle of a cost of living crisis that is affecting everyone, banks should be improving and investing in access to services, not withdrawing them from our local high streets and town centres.”
In the letter Councillor Payne wrote: Customers at this branch rely on face-to-face services to conduct their banking and pay bills. HSBC’s proposal to close the Arnold branch in May 2023 will have a detrimental impact on our local population and the hardworking staff who work in this branch, and will exacerbate problems with social isolation that are already prevalent within society locally and nationally.
“The closure of HSBC branch in Arnold will leave customers within the entire Gedling Borough area without access to a local HSBC branch, instead they will have to travel to your Nottingham, Clumber Street branch. This proposed closure will disproportionately disadvantage older, disabled, financially excluded and socially isolated customers.
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“The closure is being proposed in the midst of a cost of living crisis, when financial concerns are a reality for so many families. I therefore call on you to re-consider your decision to close the Arnold HSBC branch.”
Following the closure announcement yesterday, Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s managing director of UK distribution, said: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning.
“Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.
“Not only can we do it anywhere at any time of day or night, many more things can be done at the customers’ convenience and don’t rely on a branch visit.”
“Banking hubs, pop up locations and use of the Post Office network will continue to be available to HSBC customers.”
HSBC said that it hopes to move members of staff from closing branches to other positions within the company.
