Fears for older people as TSB bank branch in Hebburn set to close in 2021

The elderly and vulnerable will be hit hardest by the closure of a bank branch, borough leaders have warned.
File picture as TSB prepares to close a number of branches, including the bank's Hebburn premises.File picture as TSB prepares to close a number of branches, including the bank's Hebburn premises.
File picture as TSB prepares to close a number of branches, including the bank's Hebburn premises.

Hebburn’s TSB branch, in St John Precinct, is now slated to shut in 2021 as part of a host of cuts announced by the firm.

But concerns have been raised over the impact this will have on customers now forced to travel to Jarrow, Gateshead or Newcastle to access services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The feedback I’ve had is that digital is no replacement for face-to-face contact,” said Councillor Adam Ellison.

“The main issue is if they don’t have that face-to-face contact, if they need financial advice they’re going to have to go out of the area, which means they’re going to have to get in a car or go on public transport.”

Cllr Ellison, who represents South Tyneside Council’s Hebburn South ward, also raised concerns about the wider impact it would have on footfall for the town’s businesses and traders.

The bank’s cost cutting plan will see 164 branches closed by the end of 2021, with Hebburn’s outlet due to cease trading on February 18, 2021.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elsewhere in the North East, Newcastle’s branch in Chillingham Road, in the Heaton area of the city, has already shut, while Durham City’s is slated for closure on May 12, 2021.

About 900 jobs are also expected to be lost as a result.

But bosses at TSB have insisted that despite the changes, which is claims have been prompted by falling numbers of customers using branches, 94 per cent of of its customers will remain within 20 minutes of a branch.

Debbie Crosbie, the bank’s chief executive, said: “Closing any of our branches is never an easy decision, but our customers are banking differently – with a marked shift to digital banking.

“We are reshaping our business to transform the customer experience and set us up for the future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms, enabling us to offer the very best experience for our personal and business customers across the UK.

“We remain committed to our branch network and will retain one of the largest in the UK.”

A message from the editor

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Shields Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.shieldsgazette.com/subscriptions to sign up.

You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here: https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/.

Thank you.

Related topics: