Ripon’s last remaining high street bank has closed until December 13 for “essential maintenance”.
Diane Whelan (pictured), 86, was one of many disgruntled customers who arrived at the branch on the corner of High Skellgate and Westgate today to find it closed.
A sign in the window advises customers that the nearest branch is in Harrogate town centre. It adds that people can access remote banking online and on the HSBC mobile app.
The bank closed on Thursday (November 30) for essential maintenance.
Diane Whelan.
Ms Whelan told the Stray Ferret:
“This could not be more inconvenient, with Christmas just over three weeks away.
“Why couldn’t this work have been done at some other time?”
Ms Whelan has been an HSBC customer for more than 60 years and was calling to get a statement.
She said:
“I’m afraid I don’t do online and I’m sure other people like me will feel the same.”
The closure of Halifax in November 2022 left HSBC, which has no external cash machine, as the city’s only remaining bank.
Harrogate and Ripon survive today’s cull of HSBC branches
Harrogate and Ripon have been spared its HSBC banks shutting after the company announced a raft of closures today.
The bank said it will close 114 branches from April 2023.
HSBC UK said the closures were down to a change in customer habits and that it would invest “tens of millions of pounds” in its remaining banks.
Among the closures include branches in nearby Wetherby and Skipton.
However, Ripon’s branch on Westgate and Harrogate’s on Prospect Crescent have been spared closure.
The HSBC – which has no external cash machine – is Ripon’s sole remaining bank branch after Halifax closed on November 14.
The Halifax closed less than three months after the long-established Barclays branch closed its doors for good on August 25.
Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s managing director of UK distribution, said:
“People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning.
“Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.
“Not only can we do it anywhere at any time of day or night, many more things can be done at the customers’ convenience and don’t rely on a branch visit.”
Halifax closure leaves Ripon with one remaining bank
Following this afternoon’s closure of the Halifax, Ripon will have one remaining bank and no access outside shopping hours to city centre cash machines.
The closure comes less than three months after the long-established Barclays branch closed its doors on August 25, leaving HSBC – which has no external cash machine – as Ripon’s only bank.
The Barclays bank Ripon branch closed in August.
Cash machines are available during shopping hours at Sainsbury’s on Market Place East and Booths at the Marshall Way Retail Park.
Announcing its branch closure in July, Halifax said in a statement:
“Like many other high street businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years as more customers choose to do most of their everyday banking online.
“We’re responding to the way our customers use our branches. We’ll continue to invest in our branch network, but we have to make sure our branches are where customers need and use them most.
“As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this branch because customers are using it less often. In addition the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank.”
A report produced by Barclays in May to explain the rationale behind its closure decision, showed that more than 3,000 customers visited regularly for personal or business banking purposes in the last year.
But the bank added that only 121 customers use the branch exclusively for banking. Eighty percent of customers also use online and telephone banking.
The report said 41% of Ripon customers also use nearby branches, such as Harrogate and Thirsk.
Ripon has suffered its second banking blow in the space of nine weeks, with the announcement that the Halifax Bank branch will close on November 14.
The closure of the branch on Market Square South, comes after Barclays advised its customers in May that it is closing its branch on August 25.
Reacting to the closure announcement, Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“This is a bad news for Ripon, as we will be going from three high street banks to one, with the city left with just the HSBC branch.
“We are a growing city whose population is set to increase by up to a quarter by 2030 with new housing coming on stream.
“Among that increased population there will be many elderly people who either do not know how to use online banking, or are fearful of it.”
Closing on August 25 – Barclays Bank in Market Square East
Cllr Williams, added:
“With Christmas just four months away, the timing could not be worse for Ripon’s independent retailers, particularly due to the fact that after the Barclays and Halifax closures, residents and tourists visiting the city centre will not have access to cash machines outside normal trading hours.
“Not everybody wants to pay for a meal in a restaurant or a drink in a pub, with a plastic card.”
Figures produced by the Halifax as part of its explanation of the closure decision, shows that 22 percent of branch customers are 75 and above, while a further 37 percent are aged between 55 and 74.
The Halifax explains its decision
In its announcement, the bank, said:
“Following an in-depth review, this branch will close on 14th November 2022
“Like many other high street businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years as more customers choose to do most of their everyday banking online.
“We’re responding to the way our customers use our branches. We’ll continue to invest in our branch network, but we have to make sure our branches are where customers need and use them most.
“As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this branch because customers are using it less often. In addition the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank.”
Barclays closure causes anger and dismay in Ripon
There is anger and dismay in Ripon this week, following the announcement by Barclays that it will close its city branch in August.
Barclays has been present on Market Square East for generations and there has been a bank under various names at this prime location since 1785.
The anger is further fuelled by a Barclays report outlining the reasons for closure, which revealed that counter transactions went up in the two years to March 2020.
This week and last the Stray Ferret has been gauging reaction to the planned closure and among those to speak with us was 81-year-old Richard Tite, who has been a regular user of the bank’s counter services for 42 years. He told us:
“When they made their corporate decision to close Ripon and a number of other branches, Barclays showed that they just don’t care about people of my age, who don’t know how to use online banking and rely on the personal service.
“Having a human being that you can speak with and have your questions answered, is very reassuring and I must say that the staff here in Ripon are very good.
“I have no complaint about them, it’s the people above them that show that they simply look on people like me, who have been customers for more than 40 years, as if we don’t count.”
The decision to close Barclays’ long-established Ripon branch has brought an angry reaction.
“This is an absolute disgrace, I have been banking with Barclays for years, but I won’t be for much longer.
“I’m going to close all the accounts I have with them and put my money elsewhere.”
There was a similar response from another person, who also wished to remain anonymous. They said:
“I read in the Stray Ferret that the decision to close has been taken in spite of the fact the the Ripon branch has an increasing number of customers and that just doesn’t make any sense to me.
“Barclays sent me a round robin letter saying there are other branches, such as in Harrogate, that I can use, but that is not a proper option, because, on top of the inconvenience, there is the increased costs of fuel if you drive over, then you have to pay through the nose to park, simply to get your hands on your own cash.
“The sooner I can transfer my money elsewhere, the better.”
Banking choices in Ripon are limited. Besides Barclays, there is HSBC, the Halifax, The Yorkshire and Skipton building societies.
Banking services are also available at the Post Office in The Arcade.
The cash machine currently at Barclays will no longer be available after August 25, meaning that people wanting to make a withdrawal in the city centre will have to go to HSBC, the Halifax or Sainsbury’s.
After closing time at HSBC and Sainsbury’s, the only accessible bank machine in the city centre will be at the Halifax.
A report produced by Barclays to explain the rationale behind its closure decision, showed that more than 3,000 customers visited regularly for personal or business banking purposes in the last year.
But the bank added that only 121 customers use the branch exclusively for banking. Eighty percent of customers also use online and telephone banking.
The report says 41% of Ripon customers also use nearby branches, such as Harrogate and Thirsk.
Rural property firm GSC Grays has opened a new office in Boroughbridge.
The High Street branch, which opened on Monday, is the company’s ninth office to open in the past 10 years.
It now employs over 100 people, mainly in the north of England. Twenty-three are based at the Boroughbridge branch, five of whom have been newly recruited.
A number of the farm and land management consultants are from the local area, and some members of staff grew up or live on farms.
Managing director Guy Coggrave said:
“This gives us exceptional expertise at a time when the farming industry is dealing with the impact of the Agricultural Transition Plan, the biggest change in agricultural policy in half a century.”
GSC Grays specialises in land and farming, estate agency, planning and development, and environment and sustainability.
A third contactless donation point for Street Aid has been installed by HSBC and Harrogate Business Improvement District in Harrogate town centre.
The ‘tap terminal’ encourages people to make donations to Street Aid, which supports people in Harrogate who have experienced homelessness.
The most recent donation point is in the Cambridge Street branch of HSBC, where donations from £3 to £20 can be made via a contactless payment.
The new donation point in HSBC
Linda Lewis, senior network manager at HSBC, said:
“It’s our pleasure to be part of this scheme and house the third Street Aid terminal.
“Since its installation, I’ve seen a number of customers tapping it with either a card or a phone to make a donation.”
The scheme was launched in October 2019, after research was conducted by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Horizons.
Since then, the charity has raised over £20,000 through online donations and the three donation points.
The two other stations are in the Oxford Street M&S window and in Victoria shopping centre.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“We are delighted to throw our weight behind the Street Aid scheme, which helps those who are genuinely in need get back on their feet.
“We want Harrogate to be known as a friendly, caring, welcoming town.”
Money raised has been administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation to fund items for 28 individuals, ranging from fishing equipment, furniture, a gym membership, bikes and clothing.
Golden wedding anniversary necklace stolen from 95-year-old in HarrogateAn elderly woman had a necklace of high sentimental value stolen in a distraction theft in the centre of Harrogate.
The necklace – which was given to her by her husband on their golden wedding anniversary – was taken when the 95-year-old victim was near the HSBC Bank in Cambridge Street.
The woman was with her husband near the HSBC Bank on Cambridge Street when she was approached by two women who attempted to engage the couple in conversation. After the women had left, the victim realised her necklace was gone.
The incident happened on Tuesday, August 11 at around 11.15am and police are now appealing for help to trace two suspects from CCTV images. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the people in the CCTV images as they believe they may have information which could help the investigation.”
Police are trying to trace this woman following a distraction theft in Harrogate town centre.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Colin Steele or email Colin.Steele@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference number 12200139244 when passing on information.