New flagship HSBC UK branch opens in Sheffield

Designed with customers in mind to go beyond aesthetics, the new branch design is focused on the areas that matter most to them - accessibility, wellbeing and state-of-the-art technology to make things quicker and easier. From thoughtful layouts enhancing physical accessibility to creating spaces fostering mental wellbeing, both customers and branch colleagues can enjoy the design which ensures an inclusive environment.

Wider doorways, height-adjustable desks, mobility scooter parking, new braille signage, including braille handrails, quiet zones and a sensory room are some of the ways banking is being made more accessible in this new branch. The branch is also at the forefront of a pilot where visually impaired customers can trial ‘on-demand’ voice guidance, which sets out the main features of the branch and helps customers navigate around to the areas they wish to visit, in addition to introducing innovative ‘circadian lighting’ in certain areas where the lighting tone and brightness of the branch is in tune with the body’s natural rhythm.

The branch will also have a Safe Space for anyone in immediate need of discrete space to reach out to friends and family, contact specialist support services or to phone a helpline.

Oli O’Donoghue, Managing Director of HSBC UK’s Branch Network, said: “We continue to invest tens of millions of pounds into our branch network and those local communities. To help provide a great banking environment for our customers we have upgraded well over 100 branches so far this year, and our strong focus going forward is on maintaining and improving our local presence, alongside digital and remote banking.

“Our new Sheffield branch is the second we have opened this year and has been designed with the customer at its heart, setting a very high standard for what customers can expect from their HSBC UK branches in the future. By prioritising customer accessibility and wellbeing, we are ensuring a welcome and seamless banking experience for customers of all abilities and needs in Sheffield.”

Robert Halliday, HSBC UK’s Local Director, said: “The bank’s connections to Sheffield go back almost 150 years, so I am extremely proud of this multi-milllion pound investment in our new branch, which brings state-of-the-art, sustainable design, technology and accessibility to our customers in this city.

“While our Fargate branch was our home twice at different times, with 85 years in between, we are looking forward to welcoming our customers into our new home which will provide greater accessibility for customers and colleagues who are wheelchair users, mobility impaired, partially sighted or neuro-diverse.”

The opening of HSBC UK’s new Sheffield branch comes as HSBC UK is awarded ‘Inclusive Environments Recognition’ certification at an organisational level by the Construction Industry Council. In addition the project is on track to achieve LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum Certification accreditations from a sustainability and wellness perspective.

The features of the new branch include:
Accessibility: Wider doorways and ramps give easier access for wheelchair users, and those with prams or pushchairs; mobility scooter parking; braille on handrails, signage and tactile maps plus contrasting colours to create different zones to help visually impaired customers; family and sensory room to assist with customers visiting with children or customers with neuro-diverse requirements.

Sustainability: Green spaces, with ceilings made from recycled plastic bottles; an extensive collection of preloved and fully recyclable furniture; an expected 25% reduction in operational energy versus a standard branch; heat generated from the ATMs will heat the branch in the winter months; customer and colleague toilets which use 80% less water and 80% less energy than traditional WCs; plus a payment card recycling point.

Wellbeing: The branch is designed to allow for maximum natural daylight alongside innovative circadian lighting in certain areas to match the body’s natural rhythm with optimum acoustics, air quality sensors throughout the building; sit/stand desks within customer and colleague areas; bicycle parking for customers and colleagues with substantial areas of greenery incorporated into the design.

Technology: intelligent lighting across different areas including the family and sensory rooms, state-of-the-art cash machines enabling cash deposit and withdrawal and paying in cheques using the same machine, with the machine recycling the cash to reduce re-filling frequency. The new branch is also taking part in a pilot to trial on-demand voice guidance for visually impaired customers.

Media enquiries to:

Steve Gracey, HSBC UK Press Office: 020 7991 4118 / steve.gracey@hsbc.com