RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has written to HSBC Bank seeking assurances about one of its Yorkshire Dales branches.
Mr Sunak has asked the bank about the future of its Leyburn branch following a decision to close the Hawes branch because of low usage.
When HSBC made the announcement about Hawes last month, it said it would be transferring Hawes customers’ accounts to its branch in Settle. This prompted concern that the Leyburn branch is also under threat.
Mr Sunak said he had contacted HSBC’s regional director after the Hawes announcement to express his disappointment about the decision and to ask why HSBC was transferring accounts to Settle – which is 22 miles away with no straightforward public transport connection – rather than Leyburn which is 16 miles away and linked directly by bus.
He said: “HSBC have told me they have their internal structural reasons why they are doing this but it has understandably prompted concerns from a number of constituents who have been in touch with me.
“I am hoping HSBC will commit to retaining one of its branches in Wensleydale.”
Mr Sunak said he had also asked HSBC to do what it could to help the remaining users of the Hawes branch to convert to telephone or internet banking.
“I understand the majority of its customers have already started using telephone and internet banking but there are clearly a minority, the elderly perhaps, who are not able, or comfortable with doing their banking over the phone or by a computer.
“ I have asked the bank if it would be willing, in addition to offering training in the branch while it remains open, to also carry out one-to-one training in people’s homes should individual customers request that.”
HSBC announced at the end of July that the Hawes branch would close on Friday, October 21. The bank closed its Bedale branch in 2015. It still retains branches in Richmond and Northallerton.