A BANK has refused a call from city politicians to leave the premises it is planning to vacate to the local community.

HSBC has told Newport West AM Rosemary Butler and Caerleon ward's councillors it will sell its branch in Backhall Street it is planning to shut on November 2 on the open market It has said an independent ATM provider has agreed to install a free cash machine with a local retailer, and will not be leaving one on site.

Ms Butler and councillors Gail Giles, Paul Huntley and Cliff Suller met officials from the bank to express their anger about the proposed closure, which will leave Caerleon without a bank.

Ms Butler said she had asked if the bank would make its premises available for use by the community but they refused.

She said: "HSBC recently announced an £8 billion half yearly profit, and you'd think that they could show more consideration towards a community like Caerleon."

The politicians said the bank told them it is confident an independent provider would be install a free ATM in Caerleon, and that a number of potential alternative sites for an ATM were said to be being looked at.

They claimed the bank had remained adamant, however, that the branch was not doing well enough to justify keeping it open.

"It will make life very difficult for many people in the town and shows an uncaring attitude," the councillors said in a joint statement.

"But at least, in response to our insistence, they have accepted the need for an ATM and we want to make sure that they keep their word on that."

A HSBC spokeswoman confirmed an independent ATM provider has agreed an install a cash machine with a local retailer and that the branch will be sold on the open market.