I am a customer with barclays and I am generally very happy with their service. It is a standard…read morelayout to the inside of the bank. There are cash machines both inside and outside of the branch. Also, inside there is the usual set of cashier windows along with a section to the side where you can go and speak to an advisor. One of the newer features of this branch is that they have a desk in the open foyer area of the ank where you can just walk up and ask simple questions about anything barclays related. I have used this many times when I have had a query with my account. Another good addition to the branch is that they have introduced a few new machine that allow you to enter your bank card and view your account information such as statements within the branch itself. Sometimes though, these machines can be out of order which can be quite frustrating if you are going into the branch with the specific intention of using one of them.

Formerly known as the Midland bank, the HSBC in st. helens is a standard branch that includes all…read morethe features you would expect from a modern day high street bank. The thing I like about this place that other banks in the town are lacking in is the seating facilities. If you are waiting to see an advisor then there are some comfortable chairs for you to sit down on and usually a couple of magazines, albeit banking ones. The cash machines in this place do go out of order a lot and I think that the reason for this is down to the fact that the front section of the bank remains open to the public 24 hours a day, even when the main cashier section of the bank has closed. I have been in many a time on a Monday morning to find bank slips scattered all over the floor, the cash machines out of order and in one case, when it was early morning - there was even what looked like a homeless person sleeping on the floor. The bank doesnt appear to be as big in size as barclays which I also use but there is very little to choose between them in terms of quality of service and the facilities available.

This has been my bank since I was 16 (22 years!), it has been through a few refurbishments and name…read morechanges but the good service has always remained the same. It isn't easy to get to if it's your sole reason for going into town as there is no parking nearby. It's much more accessible for wheelchair users than it used to be.

Halifax Widnes has some dedicated, reliable staff, who are polite, courteous and can advise you on…read morea lot of financial matters. They have three cash machines, an instant deposit machine and a housing section.

If I could give this place no stars then I would. I know they are the largest provider of mortgages…read morein the country but I am reffering to this branch alone. I hated going in here and came out feeling very disatisfied. I know that estate agents dont have the greatest of reputations but this place took the biscuit. When trying to purchase my first house they harrassed me to take out my mortgage with them, told me cleverly worded lies and I found them to be deeply dishonest. In one instance one of them women at the desk even tried selling me pet insurance to go with the house - We have no pets! Their rates are not competitive interest wise (at least at the time I was involved with them) and I would not recommend them to anyone if there is a similar alternative. The shop is divided between the downstairs sale display section and the tiny upstairs section where the financial advisor sits. They did offer to make me tea when I was in there but when they are attempting to rip you off I suppose that that is the very least that they could do.