HSBC branch set to close (From Your Local Guardian)

HSBC in Ewell Village to close in September

3:10pm Monday 25th June 2012 in Epsom By Hardeep Matharu

A bank is pulling out of Ewell Village to the frustration of loyal customers.

HSBC, on 27 High Street, will close on September 13, its spokesman, James Thorpe, confirmed this week.

He said: "It was a case of the level of usage of the bank declining significantly over time so we took the difficult decision of closing the branch.

"There is a well-served, recently refurbished branch in Epsom which is 1.4 miles away and open on Saturdays, and there are also branches in Cheam and Banstead so there are quite a few others in the area.

"This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but we are now working with the small number of customers who use the branch to help and advise them on their banking options."

But some customers have expressed their anger at the closure, saying it will affect the number of people continuing to bank with HSBC.

William Morgan said: "My wife and I both opened our accounts at Midland Bank, Moorgate around 40 years ago and stayed with HSBC after the takeover, so we now feel very let down.

"As pensioners, we cannot tell you how much we regret the decision you have taken.

"Yes, we have free bus passes which we can use to go to Epsom, but frankly, this not something that we have ever done, nor do we wish to in the future.

"Our local branch has been a blessing to us for many years.

"I therefore have no doubt whatsoever that the decision to close the Ewell branch is a serious error and I am quite sure that, in addition to ourselves, many other residents will be moving their bank accounts away from HSBC."