June 20 2014.
News of the impending closure of the HSBC bank in Newhaven has had Haven News readers hitting the keyboards.
Do you have a view? E-mail: news@haven-news.comBROKEN PROMISEI regularly go shopping in Newhaven and find this news absolutely disgraceful.
Ever since I have held a bank account, for over 40 years now, out of family reasons I have banked with National Westminster Bank. When the NatWest Bank closed in Newhaven comparatively recently, I, like a lot of customers in Seaford, suffered inconvenience because NatWest customers in Newhaven had to come to Seaford for personal banking services. Meanwhile the building housing the Bank in Newhaven has remained closed and the dispensing machine taken out. To be honest, in the present climate it is difficult to imagine what else it could be used for without substantial alterations. When that happened we were reassured that banking facilities in Newhaven, a town with considerable industry and a large workforce, would be supplied by HSBC. Now that promise has been broken too.
I am unsure of the status of HSBC, but I believe NatWest and its parent RBS are still owned by the government in a majority investment after the bail-out some six years ago. It seems clear to me that the NWB should be ORDERED to reopen the branch in Newhaven in the public interest, to supply banking facilities again in Newhaven. It makes no sense for Seaford to have a number of banking outlets whilst Newhaven will have none.
The danger to me is that without proper banking facilities in Newhaven, there will be the opening for a number of "Credit shops" which tend to target employed people needing temporary finance. This is not a trend I feel that should be encouraged in today's economic climate.
Bob Brown------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SICKOk for people who drive, but what about people who don't!
I'm not with HSBC but with Halifax and Natwest and get sick of having to pay high bus fares to go out of town for a bank!
Maybe the Post Office will have to start having a paying-in option for our banks?
Charlene Gillman------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECONSIDERIt is very disappointing to hear that HSBC has decided to close the last bank in Newhaven without any discussion with either the local business community or its private account residents. The bank is often busy, with queues out of the door and so HSBC can hardly claim that it is under-used.
Also, given the fact that the town is now starting to look up with the new technical college, wind farm, new house building schemes and so on, the decision appears to be a little short sighted.
Newhaven Chamber of Commerce asks HSBC to reconsider its decision and to enter into dialogue with the local business community.
Newhaven Chamber of Commerce------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PANTSHow stupid. Now I have to travel, plus bus fare to do anything.
No cashpoint either. The Post Office one is pants.
Kim Gharib------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCRAPHEAP?This is not good news.
I bank online, but you can't pay cheques in online.
The two cashiers have been there for sixteen years to my knowledge. I trust they are not going to be tossed on the scrapheap.
Alan Baker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COFFINAnother nail in Newhaven's coffin I'm afraid...
Harry Gaston ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO SURPRISENot a surprise though, really.
I would say Seaford was pretty local.
Dionne Davies
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RIDICULOUSThat is just ridiculous news!
Selina Mclarney ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS BLACKSPOTAnd just how are businesses meant to pay in takings!!! ......Grrrrr
Shirlee A McCourty------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TERRIBLETerrible news!
Karen Corbett ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUPIDThis is the most stupid thing I have read.
This bank is always busy and so friendly with personal service.
I will miss Julie and Natalie.
Such a shame.
Kirsty Humphrey------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWFULI cannot believe HSBC closing in Newhaven. I live in Peacehaven and use the bank regularly. It is always busy and the staff are wonderful, especially Julie.
I will be forced to use Brighton Branch now.
Awful decision.
Marian Bond
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DO YOU HAVE A VIEW? E-mail: news@haven-news.com