Attleborough Town Council hope to ‘put pressure’ on HSBC after branch closure announcement

The mayor of Attleborough says he is hoping the town council can put pressure on HSBC after the banking giant announced they were closing their branch at the start of next year.

The premises, in Queen’s Square, will close it’s doors on January 22.

Town mayor Tony Perkins told the Diss Express the council had written to HSBC with their concerns, in the hope they may reverse their decision.

Barclays, who also operate a branch in Queen’s Square, will close on Wednesdays, as of November 30.

“It is a bit disappointing really,” he said. “We have talked about this at the town council. As a town we are experiencing considerable growth at the moment, and we will have some in the future as well.

“We are expecting the town to double in size and it is disappointing the HSBC branch is closing when we are trying to provide more for the town in the way of facilities and services.”

We are expecting the town to double in size and it is disappointing the HSBC branch is closing when we are trying to provide more for the town in the way of facilities and services

Mr Perkins, who also runs a butchers, said the nearest branch to access some services for people and businesses that would be lost in the closure is in Norwich.

A spokesperson for HSBC said: “We never take the decision to close a branch lightly, and we understand it’s unsettling for the local community.

“Unfortunately, with an increase in the use of online and telephone banking over the past few years use of the Attleborough branch has fallen significantly, and we’ve taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We are working with customers who use the branch to help them understand their options, which include being able to use the local post office to check their balance and withdraw and pay in cash and cheques to their personal HSBC account. There are also a number of fee-free cash machines in the local area.”

Barclays Community Leader Chris Channell said there had been a “significant decline in customer visits”, meaning the branch will close on their quietest day, Wednesdays.

It will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

“The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly move away from traditional branches and use online, telephone and mobile devices for everyday transaction,” he said. “While branches are still an important part of our business they must reflect how and when our customers are choosing to visit us.

“The team at the branch have been working hard to make sure that customers are aware of this change, and to talk through the alternatives, which includes using the local Post office. If anyone has any concerns I would recommend that they speak to a member of Barclays staff.”

“Our colleagues in Attleborough will work at alternative branches on the day that the branch is closed.”