HSBC fails to ramp up

In an effort not to watch "SudoQ" or "Deal No Deal" I caught the ITV local news. The teaser prior to the credits stated they were going to talk about an HSBC bank not dealing with its wheelchair bound customers. This piqued my interest as a couple of years ago they'd done the same piece regarding the HSBC bank in the town next to mine, were they going to repeat it? No this was another town.

So why don't the companies build ramps as required by law, well in the case of the HSBC in my neighbouring town they have exactly the same problem as a lot of stores in my town - the buildings are listed. The owners cannot make these changes a permanent feature they have to have temporary ramps that are required to be brought out. This brings Health and Safety into the equation.

My mother works for a charity shop, located in a listed building; the entrance is narrow and comprises of two steps. In order to use the temporary ramp they require a minimum of two people, one to stand at the bottom to prevent non-wheelchair users from attempting to enter, and one at the top to prevent non-wheelchair users from leaving; add in one extra person to watch the till and you need at least three people present every time the ramp is used.

Am I using this to excuse the banks? No, just as an example that there's normally more to a story then is reported.

Anyway from the bank's perspective the solution is easy, close the branch, turn it into a trendy wine-bar, and let the new owners deal with the problem.