Southport journalist Martin Hovden.Why we can no longer bank on the HSBC or other corporations?

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Why we can no longer bank on the HSBC or other large corporations

Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: Fifty years ago I opened my first bank account with the Midland Bank in Victoria Road, New Brighton. It was a typical local branch, with friendly staff... and often when you were there you got a friendly wave from the branch manager.

It reminded me so much of the bank managed by Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army (hence the picture) - a very warm and comforting place where you were valued as a human being.

Then the bank was taken over by HSBC. I stuck with it and was very happy with the excellent service I received from the Wallasey branch.

Twenty-six years ago I moved to Southport and I felt so special when I walked into the Lord Street branch - it’s an amazing and beautiful building. And the staff were so friendly.

This morning I called into the Lord Street branch. It was like the financial equivalent of the Marie Celeste. Just two members of staff, with one in a dehumanising pod and another at a desk. The counter which used to deal with customers has been removed. Gone. It is no more. It reminded me of a museum.

What’s happened to personal service?

I also called into the Post Office in Chapel Street. You enter via WH Smith’s and have to climb a dangerous set of stairs to reach the first floor where the P.O. is based.

There was a very long queue of customers (mainly elderly) with just TWO members of staff on duty. I’m not blaming those staff members in any way, they gave excellent service. But again, what’s happened to personal service in terms of having enough staff to deal with the public?

And before that, I bought some goods from Tesco in Eastbank Street. Again, long queue of customers with just ONE member of staff at the tills. In desperation, she urged us to use the self-service tills - which were card-only.

I’m sorry, I don’t know to use those tills and you wait ages if you ask for help. Plus the fact, I want to be served by a human being. And how many staff have been made redundant to make way for their electronic equivalent?

What’s happened to personal service in 2021?