HSBC to close its Darwen branch

11:50am Friday 6th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

CLOSING HSBC in Darwen CLOSING HSBC in Darwen

A BANK has announced it is to close its Darwen branch due to a ‘lack of use’.

HSBC at The Circus will shut for good on September 28.

Accounts held at the branch will be transferred to the nearest branch Blackburn, where the next nearest HSBC branch, in Church Street, Blackburn.

Alternatively, account-holders can travel to Astley Bridge, Bolton, to use their banking facilities.

A bank spokeswoman said there would be no job losses as a result of the closure.

Melissa Jobson, of HSBC, said: “We need to ensure that our branches are in the right locations for our customers. On occasions this means that we need to close some branches where customer footfall has fallen dramatically.

“Our Darwen branch is a case in point.

“Customer usage of the branch has fallen very significantly over the past few years as our customers either use other branches or they are using the 24-hour convenience of internet or telephone banking.

“We are working with the small number of customers who use the branch to help them reorganise their finances ahead of the planned closure.

“The members of staff who run the branch will transfer to another local branch.”

Darwen councillor David Foster, a customer of the bank for 50 years, said he planned to write to the bank.

He said: “When I have been in there I usually have to queue, so I will be writing to them asking why they are really shutting.

“I have been going in there for 50 years.

“It will be difficult now for local people and businesses who want to go in to do their banking.

“And a lot of elderly people don’t do online banking. A lot like the personal touch.

“You would think a town of this size would merit a branch of its own.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “This is bad news.

“I can’t understand why they would want to move.

“It always seems busy whenever I walk past.

“Banks should be making strides to connect better with people. This is a retrograde step.”

HSBC’s departure will leave just four banks in the town – NatWest, Lloyds TSB, Santander and Barclays.

Comments (21)

12:50pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...

Lack of use, how do they cash their Giros now?
Lack of use, how do they cash their Giros now? Michael@ClitheroeSince58

12:52pm Fri 6 Jul 12

QuizOnMyFace says...

With telephone and internet banking, cash machines and chip & PIN devices there is no longer for high street branches. I bank with HSBC in Darwen but I haven't stepped foot in there for about 5 or 6 years...
With telephone and internet banking, cash machines and chip & PIN devices there is no longer for high street branches. I bank with HSBC in Darwen but I haven't stepped foot in there for about 5 or 6 years... QuizOnMyFace

12:54pm Fri 6 Jul 12

mary howarth says...

We bank at HSBC, I like our bank I like our bank staff, NO I don't want to travel to Blackburn or Bolton to do my banking. both will inconvenience me in both time and money.The bank I use should be for my convenience or you would not be having my custom.
Does this mean choice of change banks or travel?
Open a branch in Sainsbury's !!!! now that would be grand.
Why can we not all do our paying in at 1 place regardless of which bank you belong too.
!!!sorted!!!
hey banks ---
let me be your boss on mega bucks and I'll fix everything for you.
We bank at HSBC, I like our bank I like our bank staff, NO I don't want to travel to Blackburn or Bolton to do my banking. both will inconvenience me in both time and money.The bank I use should be for my convenience or you would not be having my custom. Does this mean choice of change banks or travel? Open a branch in Sainsbury's !!!! now that would be grand. Why can we not all do our paying in at 1 place regardless of which bank you belong too. !!!sorted!!! hey banks --- let me be your boss on mega bucks and I'll fix everything for you. mary howarth

12:58pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Excluded again says...

Or transfer your money to the Credit Union on Bolton Road.

Becasue it is owned by its savers and borrowers - local people - it's not shutting its Darwen office.
Or transfer your money to the Credit Union on Bolton Road. Becasue it is owned by its savers and borrowers - local people - it's not shutting its Darwen office. Excluded again

1:08pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Your ferret stinks says...

Come on people it's not exactly catastrophic news is it, with 4 other banks to choose from in the town it's merely an inconvenience and nothing more.
Come on people it's not exactly catastrophic news is it, with 4 other banks to choose from in the town it's merely an inconvenience and nothing more. Your ferret stinks

1:10pm Fri 6 Jul 12

bridgey2000 says...

Do what I did when HSBC closed its branch in Haslingden - moved my account. I figured that if they weren't prepared to keep a branch open where it was convenient for their customers then I wasn't prepared to bank with them and give them my money for some of the products that I bought from them, like loans and credit cards. I moved to Lloyds TSB and haven't missed HSBC one bit. This is what happens when you take a bank like Midland and merge it into an international giant money making machine - local need just isn't taken into account. I realise that advances in technology mean that people bank in different ways - therefore, why not just reduce opening times to reflect peak demand? So there won't be many branches of HSBC left - it's closed in Haslingden, Padiham and Longridge in the past few years.
Do what I did when HSBC closed its branch in Haslingden - moved my account. I figured that if they weren't prepared to keep a branch open where it was convenient for their customers then I wasn't prepared to bank with them and give them my money for some of the products that I bought from them, like loans and credit cards. I moved to Lloyds TSB and haven't missed HSBC one bit. This is what happens when you take a bank like Midland and merge it into an international giant money making machine - local need just isn't taken into account. I realise that advances in technology mean that people bank in different ways - therefore, why not just reduce opening times to reflect peak demand? So there won't be many branches of HSBC left - it's closed in Haslingden, Padiham and Longridge in the past few years. bridgey2000

1:39pm Fri 6 Jul 12

darwenTower says...

I bank with co-op and recently found myself in Britannia when I wanted to open an account for my son.

They were very polite and helpful, i'd recommend them over the other banks who operate in Darwen.

Natwest, i've never had anything to do with them since I opened an account there when I was 18, they convinced me I needed a pension, I was earning £60p/w!

TSB, not banked with them for years, do they still try to sell you gas and electricity when you are using their counters?

Barclays, just read the news.
I bank with co-op and recently found myself in Britannia when I wanted to open an account for my son. They were very polite and helpful, i'd recommend them over the other banks who operate in Darwen. Natwest, i've never had anything to do with them since I opened an account there when I was 18, they convinced me I needed a pension, I was earning £60p/w! TSB, not banked with them for years, do they still try to sell you gas and electricity when you are using their counters? Barclays, just read the news. darwenTower

5:14pm Fri 6 Jul 12

RUinsane says...

Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.
Hope they do something nice with the lovely building. RUinsane

5:14pm Fri 6 Jul 12

RUinsane says...

Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.
Hope they do something nice with the lovely building. RUinsane

5:15pm Fri 6 Jul 12

RUinsane says...

Double Wammy
Double Wammy RUinsane

5:58pm Fri 6 Jul 12

pbrock says...

Councillor Foster states he's been a customer there for 50 years? Not sure HBSC has been there that long? Regardless, who cares, there's other options; so stop whining and, as a Councillor, concentrate on more serious things.
Councillor Foster states he's been a customer there for 50 years? Not sure HBSC has been there that long? Regardless, who cares, there's other options; so stop whining and, as a Councillor, concentrate on more serious things. pbrock

6:07pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Gobbin says...

I wonder how many Darwen people know what HBSC stands for? Hongkong and Shanghi Banking Corporation. Surprise to some I bet.
I wonder how many Darwen people know what HBSC stands for? Hongkong and Shanghi Banking Corporation. Surprise to some I bet. Gobbin

6:12pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Gobbin says...

Sorry it's HSCB not HBSC. I must have had an eye on the previous note.
Sorry it's HSCB not HBSC. I must have had an eye on the previous note. Gobbin

6:57pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...

RUinsane wrote:
Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.
It looks like an old Co-Op building
[quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.[/p][/quote]It looks like an old Co-Op building Michael@ClitheroeSince58

7:16pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Andrea2009 says...

My mum has used HSBC for as long as I can remember , she is now 70+ and not capable of traveling alone to Blackburn its going to be hard for her to bank money now , I dont think they are thinking of the customers who do go in the bank on a regular basis
My mum has used HSBC for as long as I can remember , she is now 70+ and not capable of traveling alone to Blackburn its going to be hard for her to bank money now , I dont think they are thinking of the customers who do go in the bank on a regular basis Andrea2009

10:14pm Fri 6 Jul 12

darwenTower says...

** **
Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “This is bad news.

“I can’t understand why they would want to move.
** **

Surely Dave, the banks like to make money. Where money isn't being made they aren't interested. They don't make decisions which lose money for them.

It is hardly surprising that you don't understand this as somebody who defends Labour's borrowing/spending strategy.
** ** Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “This is bad news. “I can’t understand why they would want to move. ** ** Surely Dave, the banks like to make money. Where money isn't being made they aren't interested. They don't make decisions which lose money for them. It is hardly surprising that you don't understand this as somebody who defends Labour's borrowing/spending strategy. darwenTower

11:08pm Fri 6 Jul 12

RUinsane says...

Michael@ClitheroeSin
ce58 wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.
It looks like an old Co-Op building
Would make a great bargain booze being right next to the post office. Cash your giro, next door for your tinnies, you wouldn't even have to undo Tyson from the railings. He could happily meet all the kids coming out from the nearby school, cheerfully wagging his tail waiting for Britney, Justin and Chardonnay kept back for detention, with just enough time to nip to the bookies.
[quote][p][bold]Michael@ClitheroeSin ce58[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.[/p][/quote]It looks like an old Co-Op building[/p][/quote]Would make a great bargain booze being right next to the post office. Cash your giro, next door for your tinnies, you wouldn't even have to undo Tyson from the railings. He could happily meet all the kids coming out from the nearby school, cheerfully wagging his tail waiting for Britney, Justin and Chardonnay kept back for detention, with just enough time to nip to the bookies. RUinsane

6:54am Sat 7 Jul 12

WarringtonRover says...

Gobbin wrote:
Sorry it's HSCB not HBSC. I must have had an eye on the previous note.
I think you might find it's actually HSBC..!!!
The clue is in the title...
[quote][p][bold]Gobbin[/bold] wrote: Sorry it's HSCB not HBSC. I must have had an eye on the previous note.[/p][/quote]I think you might find it's actually HSBC..!!! The clue is in the title... WarringtonRover

3:57pm Sat 7 Jul 12

Your ferret stinks says...

RUinsane wrote:
Michael@ClitheroeSin

ce58 wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.
It looks like an old Co-Op building
Would make a great bargain booze being right next to the post office. Cash your giro, next door for your tinnies, you wouldn't even have to undo Tyson from the railings. He could happily meet all the kids coming out from the nearby school, cheerfully wagging his tail waiting for Britney, Justin and Chardonnay kept back for detention, with just enough time to nip to the bookies.
I bet wetherspoons would like to cash in if it's big enough for them as darwen could do with another pub, or maybe a take away, now theres an idea! who needs mary portas?
[quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Michael@ClitheroeSin ce58[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Hope they do something nice with the lovely building.[/p][/quote]It looks like an old Co-Op building[/p][/quote]Would make a great bargain booze being right next to the post office. Cash your giro, next door for your tinnies, you wouldn't even have to undo Tyson from the railings. He could happily meet all the kids coming out from the nearby school, cheerfully wagging his tail waiting for Britney, Justin and Chardonnay kept back for detention, with just enough time to nip to the bookies.[/p][/quote]I bet wetherspoons would like to cash in if it's big enough for them as darwen could do with another pub, or maybe a take away, now theres an idea! who needs mary portas? Your ferret stinks

10:19pm Sat 7 Jul 12

Rumpole says...

A new Pound shop in Darwen.....yayyy!!!
A new Pound shop in Darwen.....yayyy!!! Rumpole

3:30pm Tue 10 Jul 12

jasper111 says...

pbrock wrote:
Councillor Foster states he's been a customer there for 50 years? Not sure HBSC has been there that long? Regardless, who cares, there's other options; so stop whining and, as a Councillor, concentrate on more serious things.
I presume Conucillor Foster is including the in the 50 years when it was Midland Bank,before HSBC took them over.
Also has anyone thought that footfall has decreased because of the road re-organisation.it does get busy at times,maybe someone should ask the bank to check it footfall records to see if that is the case.
[quote][p][bold]pbrock[/bold] wrote: Councillor Foster states he's been a customer there for 50 years? Not sure HBSC has been there that long? Regardless, who cares, there's other options; so stop whining and, as a Councillor, concentrate on more serious things.[/p][/quote]I presume Conucillor Foster is including the in the 50 years when it was Midland Bank,before HSBC took them over. Also has anyone thought that footfall has decreased because of the road re-organisation.it does get busy at times,maybe someone should ask the bank to check it footfall records to see if that is the case. jasper111

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