This is what High Street business owners had to say about the closure of the town’s HSBC next week.  

The looming closure of another HSBC branch in the county on August 23 cast a shadow over the Amersham businesses.

People were concerned of the rate at which banks were leaving the area and its impact on the High Street.  

Chef Allan Himowicz, the owner of Seven by Allan restaurant in Amersham and with 30 years of experience including in The Dorchester, called the decision to leave Amersham “ridiculous” and “crazy.”

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His business shares a wall with the HSBC, and his business banking is handled by them. 

He said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous they’re closing.

“How far will it go? Banking should be personal, there are instances you have to talk to a person.”

There was no point to go through the hassle to change his business bank as the others were leaving too, including Barclays, he said.

The departure of the likes of HSBC made him concerned for the future of the area, and for the independent family businesses in particular.

“We’re a family owned business. If the business goes down, the family goes down, but it’s not like that for the chains.”

Whoever was going to take up the bank’s space, it should be another bank, he joked.

“As long as it’s not another chain, we’ve now even got Kentucky [Fried Chicken],” he added.

Leela Farr from A Little Street Kitchen, located on the opposite side of the HSBC building on Sycamore Road, said:

“It is very unfortunate that the Amersham branch of HSBC is closing as it will be a big loss to the High Street. 

“There are many independent businesses on the Amersham high street which still accept cash payments from customers. The convenience of depositing cash will be lost and more businesses are likely to transit fully to a card only business.

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“There is also nothing like face-to-face contact that a high street branch provides to many independent businesses and individuals. The service provided by the Amersham HSBC branch team was great and will be greatly missed.”

Gianpietro Serra, who owns Spiga Italian Deli with his brother only a stone’s throw away from HSBC wasn’t directly affected by the closure but “it’s not good news.”

As for the future of the soon empty retail space, he could only hope that whatever takes over “is not another coffee shop. “

He added: “It’s progress, I guess.”

Alison from Age UK charity shop was sad to see HSBC go.

“They’re a lovely bunch of girls there,” she said.

“We often pop there for change and have a chat with them.”

Apparently, the staff will continue working at other branches, she said.

Rob, the Chesham- based bartender of Mad Squirrel Tap and Bottleshop and originally from the US, had just found out there was a HSBC branch in the area.

“I only recently discovered it was closing, I was going to deposit cash.

“As a customer I’m disappointed to see them go.”