A CHARITY representing older Islanders has welcomed news that Jersey’s only remaining bank branch outside St Helier is to be extensively refurbished.
HSBC has confirmed that a seven-month project to upgrade its branch at Red Houses, St Brelade, will start in mid-March, with temporary banking facilities available at the nearby Communicare centre while the work is carried out.
Age Concern chairman Ben Shenton said HSBC had shared plans about the project during a meeting with the charity before Christmas.
Yesterday’s announcement came a few weeks after Lloyds Bank closed its adjacent branch, leaving HSBC as the lone branch of any bank outside the capital.
“A lot of our members were badly affected by the Lloyds decision, and so we’re delighted to learn that HSBC is investing in this way and are committed to serving the area into the future,” Mr Shenton said. “A lot of people with limited mobility find it very difficult to get into St Helier – many consider it to be ‘out of bounds’ because of the accessibility issues.”
HSBC, which refurbished its King Street branch in St Helier last year, said the Red Houses site would double in size over two floors and provide significantly improved modern banking facilities, including a full redecoration, spacious customer-friendly layout, a counter service and state-of-the-art technology.
Accessibility would be a key consideration for colleagues and customers who use a wheelchair, the bank added, with wide automatic doors, ramps and a lift forming part of the plans. The first floor will become a new dedicated “Premier Banking” centre with private interview and meeting facilities.
The branch is due to close temporarily from 14 March, with pop-up facilities available at Communicare between 10am and 4pm from 17 March, as well as extended opening hours in King Street. Alvaro Teixeira, head of wealth and personal banking, said: “In order to ensure our customers continue to receive the best banking experience, we’re making a significant investment in the refurbishment, with an impressive design vision, expanding over two floors and introducing new modern facilities to complement our friendly counter service.
“Of course, this programme will take some time and we thank our customers for their patience while we undertake the necessary work – we’re pleased to be able to offer measures to ensure customers receive a seamless service.”
