THE HSBC branch in Pudsey is among 27 other banks set for closure this year.

Nearly 50 jobs are at risk across the country while staff in 10 branches, which employ 46 people between them, could also face losing their jobs.

The bank will shut this Summer on July 31 - a decision which councillors feel will be a "huge blow" to the town.

Those working at the other 17 branches earmarked to shut will be moved to other roles at nearby HSBC sites.

It will also invest nearly £34 million in its remaining 594 branches this year, and will refurbish 49 of them.

The announcement comes as customers turn to other forms of banking, making them less reliant on using a branch, the bank said.

Councillor Trish Smith (Conservative, Pudsey Ward) said: “This would clearly be a huge blow to the area and we would be very sorry to lose such a prominent bank and asset to the community. At a time when we’ve been working so hard to attract businesses to the local area and regenerate our high street, this news is a real shame. I hope HSBC will reconsider.”

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HSBC said nine in 10 contacts with customers now happen over the phone, via the internet or on its smartphone app, with the number of customers who use a branch falling by a third in the last five years.

Only one in every 100 cash withdrawals are made in branch at an HSBC.

Stuart Haire, HSBC UK's head of retail banking and wealth management, said: "Retaining a sustainable branch network is extremely important to us and we need to ensure it is fit for the future.

"But, the way our customers bank with us has changed significantly over the last five to 10 years, and that change is something we cannot ignore."

HSBC customers will still be able to bank in Post Office branches across the country.

Mr Haire added: "Almost every industry is affected by similar behavioural change and needs to work hard to address that - newspapers used to be delivered by paper boys and girls, or a paper would be collected from a shop, and now most people consume their news online.

"Photographs that were once processed in a shop have now been replaced with digital cameras and online delivery."

Earlier this month, HSBC said its global headcount would be reduced by 35,000 over the next three years.

This would include "meaningful" cuts in the UK, where it employs 40,000 people.

Councillor Simon Seary (Conservative, Pudsey Ward) said he feels "extremely disappointed" to hear the news.

He explained: “I am concerned that customers of the bank who are less mobile will not have easy access to their accounts. I would ask the bank to reconsider this decision. In the meantime, though, there are other banks in the town and customers may wish to consider these.”

The branch closures where jobs are at risk:

London Park Royal - to close on July 3

Peterlee - July 10

Chard - July 10

Royston - July 10

Tiverton - July 31

Ely - July 31

Pembroke - July 31

Saffron Walden - July 31

Thetford - to close later in 2020

Bourne - to close later in 2020

The branch closures where jobs will be moved to nearby sites:

Bristol Bedminster - to close on July 3

Leigh-on-Sea - July 3

Chingford - July 3

Swindon Old Town - July 3

Kensington High Street - July 3

Blaby - July 10

Leigh Bradshawgate - July 10

Wallasey - July 10

Pudsey - July 10

Croydon Wellesley Road - July 31

London Greenwich - to close later in 2020

London Regent Street - to close later in 2020

Redhill - to close later in 2020

Sheffield Broomhill - to close later in 2020

Cheltenham Bath Road - to close later in 2020

Coventry Corporation Street - to close later in 2020

Heswall - to close later in 2020

The branches set to be refurbished in the first half of 2020:

East Ham

Croydon North End

Ealing Broadway

Stratford Upon Avon

Hammersmith

Carmarthen

Lewisham

Cheltenham Promenade

Blackburn

Wembley

Bristol Kingswood

Wigan

Corby

122 Finchley Road

Alton

Cardiff Rhyd y Penau

Castleford

Hinckley

Lowestoft

Lymington

Ormskirk

Ramsgate

Saxmundham

Welshpool

Witney