Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has called for a meeting with HSBC following its announcement yesterday that it will be closing 114 branches in 2023, including Denbigh.
In a letter to James, the bank said the branch, situated on Vale Street, will close on August 8th next year.
Commenting, James
“The news that HSBC plan to shut their prominent Denbigh branch next August is incredibly disappointing and will come as a huge blow to the local community.
“HSBC have already closed a number of banks across North Wales in recent years, and when they announced the closure of their Prestatyn branch at the start of 2021, I met with them and highlighted the impact of their branch closures on local businesses and those people who don’t use online banking. I have now requested a meeting to outline my concerns regarding the closure of the Denbigh branch.
“To close a further 114 branches nationwide, on top of the substantial closures in the last couple of years, is quite staggering and will have a massive impact on communities.
“Whilst I appreciate that in recent years there has been a surge in the use of online banking, there are still people, particularly the elderly, who like to bank in person. Once the Denbigh branch has gone, those wishing to do in-person banking will have to travel over seven miles to the nearest branch in Ruthin, or even further to branches in Rhyl, Shotton, or Mold.”
James, who recently helped secure the promise of a Banking Hub for Prestatyn, after all banks in the town closed last year, added:
“Earlier this year the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce published a report suggesting that 10 million people would struggle in a cashless society. As incomes are squeezed, there is evidence that some people are turning back to cash to help them to budget. The Post Office reported record withdrawals in July 2022, while LINK ATM withdrawals still exceed £7 billion monthly. Cash remain king for so many, and it is therefore vital that people can easily access it.
“I have repeatedly highlighted bank closures in the Vale of Clwyd in Parliament and will continue the fight to safeguard town centre banking services and access to cash generally.”
