A PETITION calling to save Studley’s HSBC branch has gathered more than 100 signatures from angry residents and local business owners.
The Alcester Road branch is due to close on April 16 but when she heard the news, frustrated Studley resident Franziska Empl Buchanan, leapt into action.
“We believe it’s vital to keep services in Studley,” she said. “The bank is an important facility for individual customers and businesses.”
Franziska added that travelling to the Redditch branch may be difficult for those who do not drive or just do not have the time.
“Online banking isn’t an option for some and it doesn’t provide as wide a range of services such as depositing cash which is particularly important for smaller businesses,” she added.
It’s a sentiment that’s echoed loud and clear on Franziska’s petition.
One supporter wrote she will no longer be able to pay cash into her business account on a daily basis, she does not drive and would lose a lot of business if she travelled by bus to Redditch every day.
“I could pay it in at the post office but I can’t afford to wait two days for the money to be available in my account,” she said.
She added she will be moving to Lloyds as a result of the closure.
Franziska added: “Losing a well-known global brand could make other businesses lose confidence here.
“Local traders may also lose customers if people are not visiting Studley to use the bank.”
A HSBC spokesman said: “Unfortunately, with an increase in online and telephone banking use of the Studley branch has fallen significantly, and we’ve taken the difficult decision to close it.”
The campaigners will be in the village on Saturday with parish councillors collecting signatures.
Visit tinyurl.com/savestudleyhsbc to sign the petition.
