Neat little branch, right on the High Street. There's a solitary armchair, the type of big brown…read moreones that HSBC use, sitting in the banking hall - very comfortable, I have to say! There's even a newspaper to read, The Financial Times, tho I must say even at 3pm it was pristine. There's a member of staff doing admin work in the banking hall behind a desk - very happy to talk to customers about specialised needs, which is always useful. There's an external ATM, and I noticed as I was going about my business in the rest of the High Street, I did notice that there was a queue for the ATM about 60-70% of the time. Its a busy branch, but the atmosphere inside is very pleasant, staff were very chatty with customers. Just a good, pleasant experience.

I'm not sure it's possible to rate a bank as more than three stars, let alone one I've never…read moreactually been in - so, as bank go, Nationwide, yer alright! My actual reason for commenting on this particular branch is that I feel the profile of its two outdoor cashpoints needs raising - why are there always huge queues outside the neighbouring Lloyds TSB cashpoint and yet nobody ever using this one? Beats me.

This is a very, very busy branch since Nationwide took over the Portman Building Society. Its…read morereceived quite a bit of investment, so there's a fair few holes-in-the-wall available. And there's often at least one greeter on duty, who will either demonstrate the machines or see to a query, so that the queue is often a little shorter than it looks. However, the level of expertise of the staff seems to have gone down in recent years, and the regard for privacy. I recently had a member of staff come to see me in the banking hall, rather than taking me to one of the glass-walled interview rooms. And a cashier who was taciturn to the point of . well, not quite rudeness, but not far off. I think its a teething problem with integrating the Portman customer, I hope it is, anyway, because its a good company with good products, very centrally located with a lot of facilities available on a Saturday, when most of us need them most.

This is my local branch. A largish branch with cash machines inside and out, this is always helpful…read moreas it can be busy at times like most high street banks. In general this branch is clean, tidy and well stocked with things like pens, paying in slips and information leaflets. 90% of the time there is a customer services desk manned by a member of staff to help with any problems or to just point you in the right direction. The staff are always well presented and welcome you with a friendly smile, if you are a regular customer like myself you are very often greeted by your name. A branch I would recommend.

Man it's crazy in here, even more insane that it is a bank…read more Not being a Barclays customer, I haven't much use for this place but it does make me laugh how their actual customers intrepidly stomp across the mass expanse that is their lobby, only to be greeted by a bullet protected fading smile. Natwest will continue to suffice for me, although I am a little bit jealous and disappointed that they haven't made any effort to create a similarly Minority Report styled outfit.

Who-ever designed the interior of Barclays main Brighton branch needs stringing up by the short 'n'…read morecurlies. Really. The effect is supposed to be slick and stylish but in reality, it feels horribly cold, soul-less and space age. Everywhere you look, there's gleaming silver and white 'information points' with no staff or information, empty open spaces or a massive queue of frustrated looking customers. If you do manage to find someone to help you and judging by my experience it's a big if, they usually try to book you in to speak to an advisor another time! The cash points are okay but if you're trying to pay in or take money out over the counter, heaven help you. The queues are usually 5-20 minutes long and lunchtimes are best avoided altogether.

I was greeted at the door and within 5 minutes the staff helped me resolve the issue with my bank…read morecard. I have banked with HSBC in other countries, they are usually fast, efficient and friendly.