Findon Valley bank fight lost
CAMPAIGNERS who fought to keep the last remaining bank in Findon Valley open have lost their battle.
HSBC has said it would definitely not re-consider its decision to permanently close the King's Parade branch on September 10.
Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton and David Goncalves, Findon Valley Residents' Association (FVRA) chairman, met with Nicola Twigg, HSBC regional director, and three other bank officials to discuss the threatened closure.
But any glimmer of hope was shattered when the bank's representatives categorically said they would not be reviewing the decision.
Final decision
David said: "From the meeting we had, it was evident that the decision to close had been taken over a year ago without any customer consultation.
"The bank actually admitted they had done absolutely nothing to tap into the pool of wealth in the catchment areas of Findon Valley, Findon village and High Salvington in an effort to attract new business and expand their customer base."
FRVA members had drawn up a number of proposals, such as revision of banking hours or increased banking facilities, but HSBC declined to consider them.
HSBC is the last major bank to withdraw its facilities from King's Parade, which residents believe will severely impact on the community.
Community campaign
David added: "We pulled all the stops out to fight a hard campaign, with an aggressive website featuring many outspoken online comments and lots of publicity was generated.
"We secured a 1,400-strong petition and were determined to get an audience with the decision-maker, which we achieved, but we were faced with an indomitable and unreasonable opposition.
"We are now focused on securing a cash point on King's Parade, where most of our shops and businesses are located.
"Our discussions are with the Post Office and Tesco so this immediate need can be sorted without too much disruption for local residents and businesses."
"Hollow commitment"
Tim Loughton severely criticised HSBC's handling of the closure.
He said: "When I first became the local MP, there were four banks and a building society serving the flourishing shopping parade in the valley. When HSBC became the last bank standing they claimed they would not desert the valley.
"It has now become patently clear that long-term commitment was completely hollow and there has been a systematic running down of the branch with a view to its closure."
An HSBC spokesman said: "Last week we met with both the MP and the local residents' association but unfortunately they didn't put any viable alternatives forward that change the basic facts that the Findon Valley branch is very under-used and is loss-making."
The next nearest HSBC branch for Findon Valley customers is in Broadwater.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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