Blaenavon residents vow to fight bank closure (From Free Press Series)

Blaenavon residents vow to fight bank closure

9:27am Monday 23rd January 2012 in News By Jessica Best

PEOPLE in Blaenavon have vowed to fight the closure of the town’s only bank.

Traders, residents and councillors say the proposed closure of HSBC on Broad Street would be “devastating” for Blaenavon, forcing shoppers elsewhere and taking business away from the town.

There are also concerns over the impact on elderly and vulnerable people, who will have a to travel at least six miles to the nearest branch in Pontypool.

An emergency public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday night, plans are under way to launch a petition, and campaigners are seeking support from politicians in Cardiff Bay and Westminster in an effort to fight the closure.

HSBC plans to close its Blaenavon branch fromMay 11 because it says it is no longer commercially viable.

But businesses in the area say the decision could destroy what is currently a popular shopping centre.

Paula Priestly, who runs The Card Shop in Broad Street, said: “Once the bank goes fromthe town, the business goes from the town.

“People are not going to go to Pontypool for their banking, and then come back to Blaenavon for a card from The Card Shop. They’ll take their business there.Wewill fight this 100 per cent.”

Peter Hunt, manager of The Railway Shop, said his business has banked at HSBC in the town for 15 years. “It’s going to make life very difficult for traders,” he said. “And it does not give a great impression to visitors.

“It’s another nail in the town. I certainly hope they change their mind.”

Pam Killick, the owner of Chocs Away and secretary of the town’s Traders Association, added: “This is a big issue for the town.

“I am concerned about the impact this will have on elderly and vulnerable people.

“Everyone is talking about it and I hope there will be a lot of support.”

Blaenavon mayor Cllr Stuart Evans said people in the town were angry and frustrated, but also determined to make their feelings known He said a delegation of councillors was arranging to meet with HSBC’s regional manager this week, and he was expecting a “packed audience” for the public meeting at Blaenavon Workingmen’s Hall on Thursday from 6.30pm to decide the first steps of a campaign.

Blaenavon councillor Brian Whitcombe added: “There is a determination to fight this to the bitter end.”