Bank closure will mean more business for post office

Submitted by Geoff.Fisher on

While generally seen as a major blow for Reepham, the proposed HSBC branch closure on 9 October could be good news for the town’s post office, which operates as part of newsagents Johnson’s of Reepham.
 

The loss of the ATM in Reepham's Market Place could have the biggest impact on the economic viability of the town

 
But while personal account holders of HSBC (and any other major bank) can deposit cheques, deposit and withdraw cash, and check their balance at the post office, HSBC business account holders will not be able to use such facilities at present.
 
Local postmaster and Johnson’s of Reepham manager Douglas Johnson said: “We know that we will be busier, but we are concerned that the knock-on effect of the bank closure could be disastrous for the whole town.”
 
He added that discussions are ongoing with the Post Office to see if it can offer anything else in the way of banking services. Hopefully, a Post Office representative will be available in Reepham’s HSBC branch at some time during the last two weeks before closure.
 
A Post Office spokesperson stated that business bank account holders with Santander, Clydesdale, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Ulster Bank and Yorkshire Bank can make cash withdrawals, deposit cash and cheques, and use a “change given” service at any major post office.
 
However, Mr Johnson said he had received “conflicting information” about business banking through the Post Office and is attempting to put together a list of what services can be offered for each bank.
 
It appears that all banks have now entered into various agreements with the Post Office – and these are constantly changing. However, so far, HSBC has not entered an agreement for business banking.
 
The Post Office is also currently trialling current accounts for personal customers through Bank of Ireland (UK).
 
Mr Johnson noted that several local businesses in Reepham use a Santander account to pay in cash and cheques and get change.
 
It may be that the loss of the ATM in the Market Place will have the biggest impact on the economic viability of the town.
 
Mr Johnson added that Reepham post office is looking into the possibility of installing a cash machine, but this “will be a long process and it has to be financially viable”.
 

  • Reepham Post Office is open from 7.30 am – 5.30 pm Monday–Saturday, and 7.30 am – 12 noon on Sunday.

 
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Janet Clarke will celebrate 25 years working at Johnson’s of Reepham in September. Photo: Mike Cowdrey

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