Chamber issues statement on HSBC bank closure

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Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism has issued a statement on the proposed closure of the town's HSBC bank branch.

 

It says: "The chamber is shocked by the proposed closure of the Llangollen branch of HSBC, announced yesterday.

 

"Efforts have been made to contact HSBC for an explanation but so far without result. 

 

"It is a sad irony that the Bank is celebrating 150 years in Llangollen with an exhibition in the branch next week (21st November).

 

"The Chamber will support any action to try and retrieve the service."

 

llanblogger earlier today received the full statement from HSBC about the planned closure of its Llangollen branch early next year, which reads:

'Our branches are a very important way for our customers to bank with us and we have spent over £100 million in recent years upgrading and improving them.  

Llan's HSBC branch.

"However, we need to ensure that our branches are in the right locations for our customers and on occasions this means that we need to close a branch where customer footfall has fallen dramatically or there has been a shift in customer shopping patterns. Our branch in Llangollen is a case in point. Customer usage of the branch has fallen very significantly over the past few years.

"Customer habits are changing - they are now increasingly using branches where they work, or they are using the 24 hour convenience of internet or telephone banking.  Our network has to be 'fit for purpose' and we have to ensure that our branches are located in areas where they are used.

"Decisions like this are never easy, but we are working with the small number of customers who use the branch to help them reorganise their finances ahead of the planned closure on 7th February 2014.

"Our customers also have access to their accounts, to withdraw and pay in cash, at any UK post office and all residents of Llangollen will continue to have access to other banking facilities and several 'fee free' ATMs within the immediate area.

The five members of staff who man the branch will transfer to our other HSBC branches in the area.'

Meanwhile, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has written the following letter to a senior HSBC executive:

"I note with concern HSBC’s announcement that it will be closing three banks in North Wales, branches at Llangollen, Beaumaris and Conwy, which I understand is the only bank in the town which has a cash machine.

 

"This has caused significant concern for my constituents.

 

"It is reported that HSBC has stated “customer usage had fallen dramatically due to internet banking” but when has internet banking provided the face-to-face service on which good business and real local customer care are based, and when has it provided the services needed by visitors to these major tourist destinations?

 

"I would therefore be grateful if you could give your very serious consideration to re-thinking this decision and provide a response accordingly."