HSBC in Ryde closed its doors for good yesterday (Wednesday) shortly after Natwest did the same on 10th August.
It means that both banks will be left with just 1 branch on the Island – both situated in Newport.
Ryde is now left with just 1 bank branch – Lloyd’s – as well as Yorkshire Building Society and Nationwide Building Society, the latter of which is only open 3 days a week.
It is not yet apparent what will become of the former bank premises, with ‘For Let’ signs now present above HSBC.
The former premises of Natwest occupies a large and prominent location in the town on land where the Theatre Royal once stood and the external signage and ATM have been quickly removed.
As previously reported by Island Echo, plans were submitted in May to also strip the building of all banking-related fittings such as the external signage, night safe and ATM so that it would be ready for reoccupation by someone else in a timely manner, but it is not yet clear who will take over the premises.
Natwest has announced that they will be providing a weekly pop-up bank at Ryde Library every Monday between 09:30 and 13:30 until 6th November.
Customers will be offered help with accessing and using digital services and pointed to alternative in-person banking services provided by local Post Offices and local free-to-use cash machines.
However, customers will not be able to withdraw money or cash cheques at the pop-up bank.
its a pity they don’t cater for the elderly. A very old aged person said they were getting the bus into Newport to get money out!
why isn’t there more information for these poor customers? It’s very unfair, they’re not offered debit cards without having to ask as they don’t know they can have one etc
doesn’t anyone think outside the box these days?
all singing all dancing digital systems but the back none of there trade gets left behind.
Time for a Banking hub to be set up ready for when Lloyd’s upsticks as well. All very well saying you can use a Post Office but they are also closing. Just look at Sandown. Banks no longer care about their Customers. Nationwide is one of the few that still have a welcoming service and they are a building society.
Welcoming for just three days a week though.
kevin we dont have a post office in wootton either , or even a post office now in Newport , they close because of lack of business . its because of the service and the high cost of the postage stamp , people are now sending any letters through the internet ,there is a first class and a second class stamp the first class stamp normally got to its destination the foowing day ,BUT NOT ANY MORE , Royal Mail now is trying to recoup there losses by parcel delivery and also by the delivery of junk mail..I am stil now waigting for todays mail which i should have had a tracked letter but , it is 15.44 pm in the afternoon ,and i most certainly do not expect a delivery now , so another failed delivery .
it is all wrong going digital ,they are gradually phasing out the closure of banks , some people needs to speak to a person NOT A MACHINE ,you are being forced into digital banking ,you should be given a choice , the Banks tried to get rid of cash but 400 ,000 patitions went through the goverment to put a stop on the removal of cash,it seems the banks are running the country . the high profitering of the banks makes the staff even lazier , when a card is being used this makes it easier on banks,as the ATM machine and computers do the work for the staff., hence the high profiteering of these banks.
The Government must act. These banks make £billions, yet they shaft the elderly and disabled with their branch closures. Their excuse is always reduced footfall. Total rubbish. There is only one reason they are closing branches – to increase profits.
The plan is to make people go cashless.
Ah yes. The conservative government. Friend of the working class.
They are getting ready for the cashless society, you won’t need banks.
It is to force people to go cashless.
I blame the T W A T S who are letting this happen by paying with their phones.
I reckon Nationwide will soon close it’s doors in Ryde, they now only
Shirk, oops I mean work 3 days a week.
No one has any money these days so why have a bank?
Banks are empty these days. However, they are no use to working people, just like most shops on the island. Why on Earth do they all close at 4 pm?? These banks and shops would be more use to working people if they opened at 4 pm and closed at 9 pm.