John Oram's photos with the keyword: HSBC

A former branch of HSBC, 3 Fore Street, Bodmin. Based on the information on a rather weary looking piece of paper in the window, this branch probably closed as long ago as 2015. 200_3_P1130099E

This former branch of HSBC at 45 Commercial Road, Totton closed as long ago as 2 June 2017 and one might reasonably assume that it has been vacant since thus underlining, once again, my displeasure with banks for their branch closures and landlords and local authorities for allowing commercial property to stand empty for extended periods. For the banking historian, it is of interest when modern day fascias are removed to reveal evidence of former identities, in this case Midland Bank. I think a more correct address for this bank would be 45-47 Commercial Road as Photo Solutions (right) is no. 49. 200_3_P1120757CE

Nearing the end of a long day out in London, the message on this electronic billboard at Waterloo was quite poignant. There was a time when Life On Mars was the soundtrack to my life. It was, at the time, linked to a very special person. I still miss David. TZ70_P1010125E

The Morton's Pharmacy fascia, although pretty standard, looks a little incongruous on what is obviously a former bank. This attractive building on Trinity Square, Axminster was an HSBC and, formerly, Midland Bank. Nearby, the former NatWest closed on 30 May 2018 leaving, as far as I know, only Lloyds and Santander in this busy Devon town. The Lloyds will, reportedly, close shortly for three weeks to be converted to a counterless branch. 200_3_P1070315R

On an evening walk in High Street, Staines, my partner observed that it is unusual these days to see representatives of The Big Four banks next to each other. In these days of branch closures this is increasingly true. Indeed, in many of Britain's towns today, one might not find more than one or two of these names. In the present era, The Big Four are regarded as Lloyds Bank, Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland Group (NatWest is part of the RBS Group) and HSBC. 200_3_P1060445CE

Yet another bank closure, this time affecting Havant. The notices in the windows at 48 West Street advise that the 'nearest' branch of HSBC is at 312 London Road, Waterlooville which is not close. HSBC seems to me to be one of the worst banks for closures. This branch existed, I think, for a little less than five years as it is recorded in a photograph I took on 13 August 2012 shortly after it was converted from a Halfords store. 200_2_P1150435E_OL

In most cases the architectural style of a former bank in the UK is unmistakable and I had no doubt in the case of this building at 66 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22. It is interesting to note though how the front entrances changed over the years. Before inspecting the notice posted on the door, I surmised that this property had, in fact, seen some other use between its closure as a bank and its recent letting but the erstwhile branch of HSBC here closed only on 15 January 2016 so, most probably, the entrance had been modernised. It is a reflection of the still turgid commercial property market that this site seems to have stood unoccupied for most of a year before being let. For completeness and in a reference to elements of my 'Consumer and Retail History' album, I should point out the adjacent Dulwich - Lordship Lane branch of the Co-op which has been rebranded. 200_2_P1140658

Internet banking is all very well and convenient but many people, including me, still value a high street presence. I have been planning this surprisingly difficult shot for a while and it is still less than perfect. The scene from West Street, Fareham (High Street is a little further east) shows three of the major banking names of the early 21st century. 200_2_P1110089C

As previewed in my photograph of 12 October 2014, HSBC in Lee on Solent has now closed and is seen devoid of signage and equipment just a week after that closure. One might, at this point, reflect on the company's 'Your Local Bank' campaign - Lee on Solent now has no banking beyond its two Post Office branches. There is a rumour that two adjacent buildings have been bought and that representatives of Wetherspoons have viewed the properties. 200_2_P1020030

In spite of the enticing claims of their advertising, banks rarely if ever do anything that is not primarily in their own interests. Branch closure policies have been controversial around the country but closures have continued to the disadvantage of many even though the internet can not fulfill all needs. In Lee on Solent, HSBC on High Street is due to close on 28 November 2014 leaving no banks in the town. Traders are concerned because the post offices have paying in restrictions at the counter which might necessitate more than one visit in a day. This then is the bank for now. Presumably at the end of November I shall take a different photograph. 200_2_P1000902

Colwyn Bay, Conwy has some glorious architecture which, in this case, conveys to us some banking history too. This branch of HSBC is on Conway Road (sic) at the junction with Woodland Road West. The Conway Road face bears a wonderful engraved stone marking the building's history as a branch of North & South Wales Bank. At the top right of the entrance face one can just discern the word 'Bank'. The various unsympathetic signs attached to the building today, in my opinion, disfigure it. P1180439