Brighton bank to close its doors today

HSBC’s Ditchling Road branch in Kings Parade, Ditchling Road, is due to shut.

A closure impact analysis report by HSBC found that 94 per cent of customers who use the branch are registered for Online Banking and/or Telephone Banking.

Meanwhile 16 per cent of customers rely on branch only banking and no other methods.

The report found that 18 per cent of customers using the branch were ‘vulnerable customers’ who would need additional support up until the closure date.

HSBC said: “We continually review our Branch Network to ensure our branches are in the right locations which reflect the long-term changes in the way customers choose to bank with us.

“Retaining a sustainable Branch Network is extremely important to us and we need to ensure it is fit for the future.

“Therefore, after careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to close Brighton, Ditchling Road Branch on 07 May 2021.”

A spokesman from the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) said that, while the news would ‘doubtless be disappointing’ to customers in Brighton, alternative banking provision was available at post office branches nearby.

These include the Hollingbury Post Office in Preston Drove, the Hollingbury Place post office and the London Road post office.

Each of these branches offers banking services, said the spokesman – including deposits, free cash withdrawals and balance checks, as well as offering face-to-face access to government services, bill payment, foreign currency, travel insurance and postal services.