THE HSBC branch in Presteigne will close because it is not ‘fit for purpose’, the bank have said.
Protests have been lodged by the town’s Chamber of Trade and MP Roger Williams and AM Kirsty Williams who continue to fight the HSBC’s decision to close on March 9.
A spokesman for the HSBC said: “The branch is currently only open for limited hours during the week and customer usage 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.
“We are working with the small number of customers who use the branch to help them reorganise their finances ahead of the planned closure in March.
“The two members of staff who man the branch will transfer to other local branches.
“We will be leaving a cash machine following closure - subject to identifying a suitable location in the town and gaining the necessary planning consent.”
Roger Williams MP said: “While we all remain disappointed that HSBC cannot be persuaded to leave the branch open, I am pleased that at least they will leave the ATM in town until a new one can be installed.”
Kirsty Williams AM said the cashpoint is a vital resource in the town and it would have been “madness to remove it”.
Rosamund Black, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, has refuted claims from the bank that it is a quiet branch and says it is essential for the town to keep the bank in order to attract business.
“They have been here during the good times, but won’t stick with us through the hard times. I urge them to stick with us,” she said.
“The town needs a functioning bank to attract businesses to the town. It’s not all just about a cashpoint. We have to carry on pushing.”
Rosamund added that she thinks the HSBC are being irresponsible towards their rural and elderly customers from Presteigne who bank with them and do not want to use internet or telephone banking.
MP Roger Williams, AM Kirsty Williams and the Chamber of Trade are still collecting signatures in a last stand to keep the bank open and will present them to executives at the HSBC HQ in London later this month.
If you want to keep the HSBC branch open in Presteigne then fill in a from giving your reasons why to Save Our Bank Campaign, County Times, 11c Broad Street, Welshpool, Powys SY21 7LE.