The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Holbeach branch of HSBC is to close permanently in three months’ time.
Following a reduction in footfall of around a third, the High Street branch will shut on January 6.
Holbeach county councillor and South Holland District Councillor Nick Worth regretted the decision but said the closure was “inevitable” due to an obvious decline in branch users.
A statement by HSBC said: “Over the past five years, we have seen an overall reduction of footfall at the Holbeach branch of more than 32 per cent, and sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to close branches.
“These are not decisions we take lightly and we work closely with those impacted to help them understand their options.”
Coun Worth said: “I’m very disappointed but I’m not particularly surprised – I’ve noticed a lot fewer people using the branch.
“A lot of people do their banking online and not surprisingly that’s the result. I do know that HSBC were restricting hours that people could go in.
“[The closure] is a real concern not just for Holbeach but town centres across the country.
“It’s going to impact most on older people and people that still pay in cash. It will mean longer journeys for some people. I’m a customer at NatWest and have to go to either Long Sutton or Spalding, which is not ideal.”
Coun Worth said it was fortunate that few buildings on Holbeach High Street remain empty for long and he would hope to see the closed HSBC branch quickly utilised.
HSBC says it has a partnership with the Post Office, which is near the Holbeach branch, and is open until 5.30pm during the week, as well as from 9am until 12.30pm on Saturday.
It added: “We have today written to all our local customers to inform them that the Holbeach branch will close on 6th January 2017, and advise them of local alternatives, as well as offering them 1-2-1 sessions to help explain their options or provide help in setting up mobile or internet banking.”
