The HSBC branch on Holton Road is set to close in September
A PETITION to stop the closure of a HSBC bank in Barry has gathered over 160 signatures.
The HSBC branch on Holton Road is due to close on September 3 this year as part of a nationwide closure of 82 branches.
But local Liberal Democrat candidates have begun a campaign to keep the branch open.
“This is a bitter blow for residents of Barry,” said Lib Dem candidate, Sally Stephenson.
“The HSBC bank is a vital lifeline for many of our local businesses and elderly residents, some of whom aren’t able to do online banking.”
The petition urges HSBC to reverse its decision to close the branch.
According to HSBC, the nationwide closures are largely due to the rise of online banking.
“The number of customers using branches has fallen by a third in the last five years,” said HSBC UK’s Head of Network, Jackie Uhi.
“Nine in ten of all customer contact with us is over the phone, internet or smartphone, in addition to talking to over 100k customers a week on social media.”
However, according to HSBC’s own statistics, 22% of the Holton Road branch’s customers rely on ‘in branch’ banking alone.
And locals are worried about elderly and vulnerable customers who only bank in person.
“Losing the Barry branch of HSBC will be a blow for many residents and local businesses,” said Lib Dem Senedd candidate, Rodney Berman.
“Not everyone has the facilities or capability to do online banking, including many of or our older residents who may struggle with using digital services.”
If the Holton Road branch does close, the nearest fully accessible HSBC branch will be around 6.6 miles away.
All accounts currently managed by HSBC’s Holton Road branch will also be transferred to its Penarth branch.
Other HSBC branch closures in the local area include:
- Ely Valley Road, Talbot Green on May 14, 2021
- Newport Road, Cardiff on May 28, 2021
- Taff Street, Pontypridd on July 16, 2021
Here’s how the Holton Road branch stacks up against other local branch closures:
Mr Berman added: “With the nearest alternative branches of HSBC being in Penarth, Cardiff or Cowbridge, it will undoubtedly be hugely inconvenient to no longer have a branch in Barry with lots of people now having to make a much longer journey to get to the bank.”
“It will also reduce footfall to the town centre which may have a knock-on impact on trade for local businesses.”
Thankfully, it looks as though local jobs will be largely unaffected.
“We aim to redeploy all customer service colleagues who are impacted by these branch closures into suitable nearby locations,” said HSBC Senior Media Relations Manager, Steve Gracey.
