HSBC closures: death of high street banks?

pmduk

I've moved my RBS account to Scotland secure in the knowledge that I never use a branch, ever.

gt94sss2

From what I have read, HSBC have been spending £100s of millions over the last few years upgrading its UK branch network - as such, I suspect its branches are going to stay open for a long time!

A quick google reveals some links here and here.

I believe that as well as refurbishing existing branches, it wanted to open 'mega branches' in city centres such as Manchester and Liverpool (both described on page 1 here) - so that its bigger branches were a bit like Apple Stores - though many of the big branches it wanted to open in London hit planning problems (i.e. I think it wanted to be where the Virgin Megastore was in Piccadilly Circus)

Some decent pictures of this 'format' here - with pictures of the interiors of several branches from one of the firms they employ.

I think the 'mega branch' concept has since gone international..

Regards
Sunil

heloid

I quite like the branch in Canary Wharf, always machines and people to help me. I'd rather Banks pool their resources in one location than spread out (at least in larger cities).

gt94sss2 wrote: »

From what I have read, HSBC have been spending £100s of millions over the last few years upgrading its UK branch network - as such, I suspect its branches are going to stay open for a long time!

A quick google reveals some links here and here.

I believe that as well as refurbishing existing branches, it wanted to open 'mega branches' in city centres such as Manchester and Liverpool (both described on page 1 here) - so that its bigger branches were a bit like Apple Stores - though many of the big branches it wanted to open in London hit planning problems (i.e. I think it wanted to be where the Virgin Megastore was in Piccadilly Circus)

Some decent pictures of this 'format' here - with pictures of the interiors of several branches from one of the firms they employ.

I think the 'mega branch' concept has since gone international..

Regards
Sunil

mikerob_2

Its not just HSBC I just got a letter from Nationwide with regards to Agency branch closures. After being a customer for 35 years I am now going to move accounts. We live in Falmouth cornwall this branch will close along with Helston. Our nearest branch will be Truro. In the letter it states we can use the online service and atms but you cannot do all your banking with these. Looks like Nationwide is going to lose a lot of customers.

huw01

HSBC have just refurbished my local branch and how done a really good job of it. Thoroughly modern looking but sympathetic to the listed building it's contained in.

To be honest with you I find the new style of HSBC Branch with deposit machines etc quicker and more convenient than standing in a queue.

As for branch closures, well I'm afraid it's something we have to get used to. Life now is different to what it was half a century ago, we bank differently so the high street will reflect that. It's not so much different to the argument about rural school closures. You just have to accept it's a different country now to yesteryear and get on with it.

iblametheparents

gt94sss2 wrote: »

I believe that as well as refurbishing existing branches, it wanted to open 'mega branches' in city centres such as Manchester and Liverpool (both described on page 1 here) - so that its bigger branches were a bit like Apple Stores - though many of the big branches it wanted to open in London hit planning problems (i.e. I think it wanted to be where the Virgin Megastore was in Piccadilly Circus)

It has in Liverpool, the Barclays branch in Liverpool is huge too.

I know Barclays have been closing smaller branches one day a week, typically Wednesdays, to save costs.