Petition launched against HSBC's Bridge closure

A petition has been launched to help save the branch, which also has an ATM cash point, and copies are available for signing at the Vale Douzaine Room and St Sampson's Douzaine.

It has been instigated by customer Jane Dilcock, who said, "This branch offers invaluable services to numerous local individuals and businesses, who rely heavily on its facilities."

She said it was important to understand that not everyone had the ability or the means to switch to digital banking. Many customers, particularly the elderly and those without access to stable internet, depended heavily on in-person banking services provided by branches like HSBC St Sampson.

Detrimental
"Apart from providing essential banking services, the branch also plays a significant role in the local community and its closure will be detrimental to the rejuvenation of the area," she said.

The petition is also available online here

So far, it has 390 signatures, excluding those on the printed forms. These are also available from Beekers on the Bridge and Trev's Motorcycles, La Route du Passeur, Vale. 

Alvaro Teixeira, head of wealth and personal banking at HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said the closure would not mean any job losses.

"The way people bank is continuing to change and we know from our review that the majority of customers have a preference to do much of their day-to-day banking digitally," he said.