Welcome to 'Lowerstoft'

There were red faces all round when a high street bank unveiled its new look in Lowestoft town centre.

The HSBC bank, in London Road North, has undergone a major transformation but the new sign above the main entrance caused a stir among customers when it was put up last week because its message read 'Welcome to Lowerstoft'.

Paul Sheldrake, public manager at HSBC - which refers to itself as the world's local bank - offered his apologies to the people of Lowestoft.

'We have to hold up our hands and say we made a mistake. We are sorry and hope the people of Lowestoft realise this was simply a genuine mistake.

'Lowestoft is a very important town to us and that is why so many improvements have been carried out in the branch,' he said.

'As soon as the mistake was realised we made arrangements to have it corrected so that the town's name was correctly spelt.'

The incorrect sign was unveiled last Thursday but by Saturday it had been covered up with white tape. On Tuesday this week, a new sign, with the correct spelling, was installed.

The refurbishment at the HSBC has increased the space for customers. Mr Sheldrake said: 'We have also been able to have more staff working in the public areas so it is easier for customers to find someone if they need help.'

He said the bank had received many favourable comments about its new look, he added, and it hoped the saga of the 'Lowerstoft' sign would quickly be forgotten.