HSBC confirms third branch to close on Friday

THE HSBC branch in Studley will close on Friday, 15th April, the company has confirmed.

The campaign to keep the branch in Alcester Road open was supported by a 600-signature petition, Studley Parish Council, and MP Nadhim Zahawi, who wrote to regional bosses to ask them to look at the decision again.

But HSBC — which describes itself as the ‘world’s local bank’ — has ignored those calls.

Three staff who work at the branch will be redeployed elsewhere.

A spokeswoman for HSBC said discussions were held with local councillors and it offered to meet Mr Zahawi, but that offer was not taken up.

Franziska Empl Buchanan, who set up the petition, said this week: “Although I haven’t heard formally from HSBC since sending them the petition last month, it is quite clear that they are unfortunately not going to reverse their decision to close the branch.

“It was always going to be difficult to take on a large company like HSBC and sadly on this occasion we haven’t been successful.

"However, it has been really heartening to see the local community come out to support the branch and the staff who work there.”

In March, HSBC closed its branches in Kineton and Southam.

Alcester's branch closed in 2014 and Shipston's closed in 2013.