Hey fred i don't think this forum does pm? Yeah I tried HSBC 2 years ago and they said the same as what you said. My partner has a few local accounts if I need to store local currency but I wont worry about that just yet. I have a nationwide account that I can sue to take out money from ATM's without paying a fee and its probably safer in a UK account anyway lol.
I think though even though I am working remote I will end up looking for a local position for 2009 - you never know when the UK company will have a change of direction and remote workers will get the chop first if that was the case.
Whats the best way to contact details?