Crisis looms as town’s only cashpoint to close (From Cotswold Journal)

Crisis looms as town’s only cashpoint to close

10:52am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News By Freya Leng

TOURIST hotspot Chipping Campden is set to lose its only cashpoint after a high street bank announced plans to close its town branch.

The town council has admitted it is concerned about the potential impact on visitors, as well as elderly residents, if the town did not have a single cashpoint for an extended period of time.

HSBC will shut its doors on November 30 after a significant fall in customer numbers over the last few years.

It currently opens for limited hours during the week and is closed at weekends, but it does provide the only cash machine in Campden.

Customers will now have to travel to their nearest branches in Broadway or Moreton – up to eight miles away – to withdraw money.

In a statement, the bank said: “This wasn’t a decision we have taken lightly, but we will be working with the small number of customers who use the branch to help them reorganise their finances ahead of the planned closure.

Our network has to be fit for purpose and we have to ensure that our branches are located in areas where they are actually used.”

The bank said it was planning on keeping the ATM in the town but was looking for a “suitable location” before they could apply for planning permission.

Councillor Michael Haines said the possible loss of the cash machine was a concern for the town council and they were hoping to hold a public meeting in the next couple of weeks to gauge public opinion.

“It’s not just the business community, but it will have a big impact on the rest of the community,” he said.

“There’s concern within the whole council about the future and the impact on the elderly population.”

Meanwhile, the future of the town’s post office in the High Street, is also uncertain. The DVLA contract to tax motor vehicles, a service currently offered by the Post Office, is being put out to tender which could mean a loss in income.

Sue Ewens, who has been postmistress for 13 years, fears if they can no longer offer the service her business will go under.

“It’s a significant amount of business. We just can’t afford to lose anymore. We’ve already lost National Savings business and investments and TV licences a few years ago.

“All we’ve retained is premium bonds. It’s just gradually an erosion of services we’re able to offer,” she said.