Morecambe HSBC bank shuts its doors

The HSBC building on the corner of Marine Road Central and Pedder Street has been home to a bank since 1888.

The closure announcement was made in July and customers were told their accounts would transfer to the Lancaster city centre branch.

An HSBC spokesman said at the time: “We never take the decision to close a branch lightly, and we understand it’s unsettling for the local community.

“Unfortunately, use of the Morecambe branch has fallen significantly over the past few years, and we’ve taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We are working with customers who use the branch to help them understand their options, which include being able to use the Morecambe post office to check their balance and withdraw and pay in cash and cheques to their HSBC account.

“There are also fee-free cash machines nearby. We’re working with our employees who work in the branch to find them a role in the local area.”

The Midland Bank began operating from the building in September 1888.

HSBC bought out the Midland Bank in 1992 and rebranded all its branches in 1999.

The property is freehold and will be put up for sale when the branch closes.

The banking giant has been hit hard by low interest rates, a slowdown in Asian markets and tougher regulations imposed after the financial crisis.