MP leads call for HSBC Welshpool u-turn

Politicians and customers were united last night in their calls for HSBC to reverse its decision to close its Welshpool branch in September.

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams and Senedd Member Russell George both said they are seeking urgent answers while residents bombarded our social media channels with outrage.

HSBC is streamlining its operations, closing 82 branches and saying that customers can go to branches elsewhere or the local Post Office to carry out transactions if they can’t do online banking.

But it's not good enough for a town like Welshpool with an elderly population, locals claim, with the nearest branch 15 miles away in Newtown and the Post Office already busy with customers.

“I am today bitterly disappointed to learn of HSBC’s planned closure of its Welshpool branch, which will be an enormous blow to its staff, customers and the town as a whole,” said Mr Williams last night.

“Whilst I am pleased that HSBC has reached an agreement with the Post Office in Welshpool to allow its personal and business customers to conduct a range of banking services over the counter, this does not fully compensate for the closure of a personalised and local branch.

“I am already in contact with HSBC representatives in urging them to reconsider their decision.”

Mr George added that “face-to-face banking must be protected” and has pledged to campaign with the local community to call on HSBC to reconsider its decision.

“The ramifications of the proposed closure of the HSBC branch could be significant,” he said. “This would be the latest in a long line of bank branch closures across Montgomeryshire and customers must be consulted before these changes are forced through.

“I will be looking to meet with the regional management of the bank at the earliest possible opportunity to voice the opinion of the people of Welshpool.

"I will also be asking the Welsh Government to exert some pressure to ensure that an adequate alternative solution is found before any permanent closure takes place. It is clear to me that the transfer of banking services to the Post Office and mobile or online banking doesn’t replace permanent over the counter facilities.”

The announcements is another devastating blow to the town centre which will see WH Smith and Janeva’s disappear from the high street this year. The holes they will leave behind are proving tough to fill as the former Nat West, butchers, Pinewood, Constructiv Clothing, charity shop, Signatures, Oliver’s and the newsagents on The Cross have shown.