We're not letting bank close without a fight (From Andover Advertiser)

We're not letting bank close without a fight

5:00pm Sunday 8th November 2009

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A CAMPAIGN has been started after it was announced that the only bank in Whitchurch is to close.

HSBC has revealed it intends to close its branch in Newbury Street from January 22, 2010, and will transfer the administration of customer accounts to the Andover branch. HSBC spokesman James Thorpe said the bank did not have enough customers.

He added: “It’s attracting six customers an hour which isn’t enough to sustain a branch. There’s access to other financial services, there is a building society and we will endeavour to leave an ATM there.”

The bank is open three days a week at reduced hours and Mr Thorpe said employees would be transferred to other local branches such as Andover or Overton.

Bill Judge, who owns Gladstones Handbag Shop, has started a campaign to keep the branch open.

He said: “We have to do everything we can to get them to change their minds. It would be a great loss because it’s the only bank we have here. We are going to start a petition and persuade the management that we do need a proper bank.

“There are 20 to 30 retailers in the town who use the bank on a regular basis and it’s an essential part of the retail community. We would be very sorry to see it go.”

North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young has vowed to work alongside campaigners to save the bank. He said: “This decision has been taken without talking to the organisations that are trying their utmost to regenerate Whitchurch. I want the bank to talk to the local community to look at the options and if they really are going to close then we need to find another bank.”

Whitchurch Town Council agreed at its full council meeting this week to work with the local community to fight the closure. More than 500 people have already signed a petition to keep the bank open.

Mayor Vince Bradbury said: “I don’t think we should let them close it without a fight. We can’t turn our back on this. This isn’t just about Whitchurch, it’s about all the areas around us.”

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