Flood hits HSBC headquarters move

BANKING giant HSBC has been forced to delay its move to Canary Wharf in London's Docklands because of massive flooding in its purpose-built 41-storey tower.

A burst pipe high up in the £500 million building caused substantial damage, a spokeswoman said. The 660-ft high headquarters, designed by architect Lord Foster, dominates the skyline alongside a similar-sized building for American bank Citigroup and the existing One Canada Square tower.

HSBC had planned to start moving in its 8,000 City employees at the start of June.

That has been put back to the end of August. The spokeswoman would not comment on the cost of the damage or delay.