Anger over HSBC Bristol branches merger

Traders in Staple Hill have launched a petition after HSBC announced plans to close its branch in Broad Street.

Customers have been told the bank will shut its doors on February 5 and merge with the branch in Badminton Road, Downend.

Independent businesses in Broad Street and High Street have signed a petition aimed at convincing the financial giant to reverse its decision and keep the branch open.

But HSBC says the branch is not busy enough and it is "unviable" to have two branches running within a mile of each other.

Shopkeepers say HSBC will become the second bank to shut in Staple Hill in recent years, following Natwest's withdrawal.

They fear the closure will lead to a reduction in the number of people shopping in the area and make it more difficult for elderly people to access banking services, with Lloyds TSB the only branch left in the High Street.

The petition was launched by Terry Lovell and his wife Marie, who run photographic shop Rapid Snaps, which is opposite the HSBC branch in Broad Street.

Mrs Lovell said more than 60 people had signed the petition by yesterday lunchtime: "We don't want another empty property on the High Street and people going to another HSBC instead of the Staple Hill one.

"My mum used to work in there in the 1940 when it was Midland Bank and a lot of traders use it to do their banking. People are absolutely shocked that it's closing."

Chairman of Staple Hill Chamber of Trade, Terry Sheen, who runs Sheen Studios in High Street, said the closure would lead to a loss of business for other shops nearby.

He added: "As soon as we lose a bank, we lose footfall in the High Street. There is a petition going around and we are doing everything to keep Staple Hill alive. It's getting more and more difficult and this is the last thing we want."

Shirley Potts, South Gloucestershire councillor for Staple Hill, said the closure would affect the many elderly people who live in the area.

She said: "We have the highest percentage of people aged 75 in the area. These people will not be able to get to Downend easily and it will also mean we have another empty building on the High Street."

Tim Pie, spokesman for HSBC, said the four employees working at the Staple Hill branch would be transferred to other branches in the area.

He said: "It's not viable to keep the branch open when we have another one so close by.

"We hope disruption to customers is minimised. The closure may inconvenience some customers, and for that we apologise."