Plans to strip the HSBC building in Ryde when it closes later this year have been put forward to the Isle of Wight Council.
The Union Street branch is to close at the end of August, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Planning agent, A&Q Partnership, on behalf of HSBC, said the landlord will submit an application to develop the site in the future.
In the meantime plans from the bank, submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, would see all existing furniture and internal machines, external signage, CCTV and ATM removed.
The night safe on the front of the building would also be removed and the letterbox sealed up.
After the removal of the ATM, the hole in the wall would be infilled to match the existing facade.
You can view the application, 23/00209/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning portal. Comments can be submitted until 17th March.
Why is it unclear – it’s obvious that HSBC will strip the place of any hints of it being a bank.
They will want to sell it as easily as possible.
No other bank will take it on so why would it not be stripped of it being a bank?
Once upon a time, there were banks in Cowes, Bembridge, Sandown, Lake, Shanklin, Ventnor, Yarmouth and Freshwater. Before long, the only banks will be in Newport. The Government needs to stop these closures before they are all gone.
once upon a time there wasn’t internet or phone banking
years ago, I used to visit the bank at least once or twice a week at a minimum. Last year, I went into the bank twice in the whole year, as I do everything online. That is progress and shows that the banks are changing their business model to fit the change in customer usage patterns.
why pay for a building, staff and other associated costs, if hardly anyone uses it.
if anything really needs signing, there are couriers that will fetch and carry the docs if you cannot manage it.
I am delighted that you are able to conduct your financial affairs online. Others, particularly those of a certain age, are unable to, either because they do not have a suitable device, and/or lack the ability or confidence to do so. The banks make a fortune out of us, and they should be obliged to offer a certain level of ‘face to face’ banking for those that need it.
If you are not happy with a particular bank, then you are always free to change providers. In fact, it’s never been easier to switch providers.
If enough people used bank branches – they would stay open. It is simple business acumen. Branch usage has been dwindling for about 20 years.
I wouldn’t even assume the “only banks will be in Newport”. I still find it unbelievable there is no longer a main Post Office in Newport.