WHITCHURCH should retain its hole-in-the-wall cash machine after its only bank branch closes.

HSBC has agreed to keep the cash machine after the branch is closed down at 3.30pm on Friday, January 22, next year. However, the cashpoint decision will be subject to review.

North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young met HSBC’s acting regional director Jos Robson earlier this month to discuss the concerns of his constituents affected by the closure of the branch.

In a letter to Sir George, Ms Robson confirmed that the decision to close the bank is final, but HSBC will retain the existing cash machine in Newbury Street while looking for an alternative site.

She said it was only after careful analysis that the decision to close was taken. She wrote: “I am aware that, whilst we recognise the value of our services to our Whitchurch customers, there is still the underlying fact that costs considerably exceed income at this branch and have done so for some time.”

But she added: “We have taken the decision to retain our existing cash machine whilst we look to secure an alternative site… “As with all our cash machines, we will regularly review usage and availability of other free fee cash machines.”

Sir George said: “I am very disappointed that the decision to close the branch appears to be final, but I haven’t given up hope of working with local people to retain banking facilities of some sort in the town.”

Bill Judge, who owns Gladstone’s Handbags shop in the town, said that the campaign to keep the bank (pictured) open would not end.

He added: “We are going to encourage those who don’t currently use the bank to start doing so.

“We don’t have very much time – they only gave us three months – but we are very grateful to Sir George for trying to change their point of view. The ATM is going to stay and that’s great.”

Ms Robson’s letter said there were no plans to give up the lease on the building while HSBC looks for an alternative site.