HSBC to close 11 branches in April - we list those impacted

HSBC has announced it will close 114 branches in the UK from April 2023, claiming the number of customers using them has fallen significantly since the pandemic.  

The bank says it will try to redeploy affected staff but said about 100 people would lose their jobs.

Banks have closed hundreds of branches in recent years as more people bank online and lenders cut costs.

Before this announcement, HSBC had 441 branches in the UK  - 96 full-service branches, 172 smaller cash service branches and 173 digital 'self-service' branches.

Here, we outline which branches are closing their doors for good, explain how HSBC says it will support affected customers, and what your other options are.

 HSBC bank branch closures

HSBC branch closures in April 2023

These are the 11 HSBC branch closures you can expect in April:

• Abergavenny 18/04/2023
• Alton 25/04/2023
• Bexhill on Sea 18/04/2023
• Blandford Forum 18/04/2023
• Bristol Downend 25/04/2023
• Cromer 18/04/2023
• Leominster 25/04/2023
• Market Bosworth 25/04/2023
• Shaftesbury 25/04/2023
• St Austell 18/04/2023
• St Ives 18/04/2023

Other HSBC branch closures in 2023

Here's the full list of other HSBC branches expected to close from May 2023 onwards.

• Arnold 09/05/2023
• Ashton under Lyne 01/08/2023
• Beccles 27/06/2023
• Bethnal Green 15/08/2023
• Bicester 20/06/2023
• Bideford 02/05/2023
• Blackwood 25/07/2023
• Bognor Regis 18/07/2023
• Brecon 09/05/2023
• Bridport 23/05/2023
• Brighouse 16/05/2023
• Bristol Filton 30/05/2023
• Bristol Westbury on Trym 01/08/2023
• Bromborough 18/07/2023
• Cardiff Rhyd y Penau 29/08/2023
• Chepstow 06/06/2023
• Chippenham 15/08/2023
• Christchurch 25/07/2023
• Cirencester 08/08/2023
• Coalville 04/07/2023
• Coleraine 02/05/2023
• Colwyn Bay 15/08/2023
• Cowbridge Date TBC
• Denbigh 08/08/2023
• Didcot 09/05/2023
• Dorchester 22/08/2023
• Dover 09/05/2023
• Droitwich 04/07/2023
• Dundee 30/05/2023
• Eastwood 29/08/2023
• Epworth Date TBC
• Fakenham 23/05/2023
• Frome 06/06/2023
• Gainsborough 02/05/2023
• Gosforth 18/07/2023
• Halesowen 16/05/2023
• Hampstead (122 Finchley Road) 15/08/2023
• Harpenden 18/07/2023
• Henley on Thames 08/08/2023
• Hertford 20/06/2023
• Holsworthy Date TBC
• Honiton 13/06/2023
• Hornchurch 15/08/2023
• Horsforth 18/07/2023
• Hove 23/05/2023
• Hythe Date TBC
• Ilkley 13/06/2023
• Kenilworth 01/08/2023
• Kingswinford 11/07/2023
• Knutsford 06/06/2023
• Launceston 02/05/2023
• Leatherhead 04/07/2023
• Leicester (11 Hinckley Road) 30/05/2023
• Leighton Buzzard 29/08/2023
• Lewes 27/06/2023
• Liskeard 23/05/2023
• Long Eaton 11/07/2023
• Market Harborough 30/05/2023
• Marlow 18/07/2023
• Minehead 09/05/2023
• Morley 22/08/2023
• New Milton 27/06/2023
• North Finchley 08/08/2023
• Norwich Mile Cross 25/07/2023
• Oakham 20/06/2023
• Ormskirk 01/08/2023
• Oxted Date TBC
• Palmers Green 04/07/2023
• Park Gate Southampton 11/07/2023
• Penarth 13/06/2023
• Pocklington 06/06/2023
• Pontypool 27/06/2023
• Port Talbot 11/07/2023
• Portadown 06/06/2023
• Portishead 04/07/2023
• Putney 01/08/2023
• Reigate 08/08/2023
• Ripley 25/07/2023
• Ross on Wye 20/06/2023
• Ryde 22/08/2023
• Seaford 25/07/2023
• Settle Date TBC
• Skipton 13/06/2023
• Sleaford 13/06/2023
• South Shields 13/06/2023
• St Neots 27/06/2023
• Stamford 16/05/2023
• Stirling 06/06/2023
• Stourport on Severn 30/05/2023
• Stroud 16/05/2023
• Sudbury 23/05/2023
• Tenby Date TBC
• Tonbridge 25/07/2023
• Twickenham 20/06/2023
• Wadebridge 27/06/2023
• Waltham Cross 30/05/2023
• Wells 20/06/2023
• Wetherby 11/07/2023
• Whitby 16/05/2023
• Whitley Bay 02/05/2023
• Wilmslow 02/05/2023
• Windsor 22/08/2023
• Wymondham 22/08/2023

What is HSBC doing to support customers?

HSBC said it will invest tens of millions in "updating and improving" its remaining 327 UK branches as well as providing free tablet devices and one-to-one coaching for selected customers as part of its post-closure strategy.

Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s managing director of UK distribution, said: “When a branch is closing it is important that we support customers in that area, whether they are regular or infrequent branch users. 

“One way we have supported selected customers is to help them transition to digital banking by providing them with a free tablet device and training them up. The new tablet now enables them to securely keep control of their finances remotely.”

Commenting, Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at interactive investor, says the closures: “will come as a blow to customers who rely on them - from small business customers looking to deposit their cash takings, to elderly customers who haven’t transitioned to online banking or simply prefer a human touch when it comes to personal banking. 

"It is also bad news for those with mobility issues and those who live in remote areas should they require face-to-face banking."

Where can you get cash if your bank has closed?

Whether your local bank branch has closed or not – there are plenty of ways you can get your money. 

You can use your local Post Office for everyday banking including paying in cash and cheques and withdrawing cash.  

There are over 11,000 branches and you can find your nearest one by popping in your postcode on the website.

Lots of places also offer some form of ‘cashback’ service. 

While asking for ‘cashback’ at the supermarket till was once your only option, you can now ask for ‘cashback without purchase’ or ‘cash at the till’ at over 8,000 locations including Post Offices, newsagents and convenience stores.   

You can find your nearest ones through the search tool on the Link website.

Just as it sounds, it’s a free service which means you can go in, present your bank card and ask for cash without buying anything.  

You can typically get up to £100 in cash this way – but do expect to be asked to tap in your ‘PIN’ to get the cash rather than going contactless.

Banking community hubs

As a result of bank branch closures – community banking hubs are being rolled out across the UK.

The idea is that several banks share one outlet so all their customers can pay bills and deposit and withdraw money.  

Each bank will have its own staff in the branch on a rota system if you want specific advice or help with your account.

Switch and boost your bank balance

If you’re not happy with your bank – for any reason - you can always vote with your feet and bag some free cash by switching banks.

To switch banks all you do is open a new account with your chosen bank and use the Current Account Switch Service to transfer your existing account, the whole process should be done within seven working days.