‘Bitter disappointment’ as Bank of Scotland refuse to retreat on Buckie branch closure
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A CHORUS of disappointment has met Bank of Scotland’s (BoS) refusal to reconsider the closure of their Buckie branch.
Two Buckie councillors and, in a separate meeting last Monday, Moray MP Douglas Ross, had talks with BoS officials to raise concerns about the closure, which is due to happen in August.
Councillor Neil McLennan arranged the meeting with Bank of Scotland following their recent announcement, which was attended by both himself and fellow ward member Councillor Sonya Warren.
At the meeting the councillors, who are both former bank employees, raised concerns of local constituents including the closure itself, the lack of bank machines and the real risk of the town being without a bank.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor McLennan said: “After a number of people had raised concerns, it was important a meeting was set up quickly.
“Bank of Scotland responded to that request. We relayed concerns about the closure, although it is clear that the bank have made their decision. And so, it was important that we discussed and suggested contingency measures, especially for the most vulnerable, to continue access to banking.”
Councillor Warren said: “There are many levels of concern at the closure, especially from older people and local businesses needing to access cash and change.
“There is local concern that the closure will place huge pressure on the Post Office.
“It’s also important that people can access free cash withdrawals from cash dispensing machines. Unfortunately these seem to vanish when the banking branch closes, too.
“It is reassuring to know that the Bank of Scotland will place a community banker in the town one day a week. We were given assurances that this service would continue as long as people used it.
“I would urge people to speak to the bank staff to see how they can be best helped through the bank closure and also to utilise the community banker once the branch is shut.”
At the meeting a number of actions were agreed including a plea to locals concerns about the closure to meet with Bank of Scotland staff over the next two months to discuss how they will be able to continue their banking once the branch closes.
Councillor McLennan added “The bank has assured us that they will meet with any worried local resident to support them with either online banking access; or taking them to the Post Office to show them how they can access services there; or telling them about the community banker who will come to the town.
“Councillor Warren and I were able to give some input around the community banker who will provide a regular link with the bank as well as flagging up the need for cash machines in the town.
“We also discussed major fears that if the final bank in Buckie were to close, then that would have a major impact on the town. We were assured that the independent body Link has an independent process to look at local banking provision should that worst case scenario happen.”
Following his meeting Mr Ross said he was left “bitterly disappointed” by the refusal of bank bosses to reconsider their decision to close their branch in Buckie.
He met with corporate affairs bosses Neil Moore and Ross Gardner in Westminster to express his “anger” at their failure to properly consult with the public ahead of announcing the branch would be closed in August.
Mr Ross went on to brand the closure is a “disgrace” to loyal customers who have banked in Buckie with the Bank of Scotland for years as well as to local businesses who rely on a physical branch to deposit cash each day.
The bank confirmed to the Moray MP that a community bank will be up and running before the branch closes in August, but he says that will be of “little consolation” to his constituents.
He said that the success of the new banking hub in Forres, which he officially opened in March, should be looked at by banking bosses as proof of the demand for access to physical banking services in rural areas like Moray.
Mr Ross continued: “While I appreciated the opportunity to meet with bosses of the Bank of Scotland face to face in Westminster, I left the meeting bitterly disappointed by their refusal to listen to the many concerns that have been raised with me about their planned closure of the branch in Buckie.
“Bank of Scotland bosses heard my anger loud and clear about their shameful failure to consult with the local community in Buckie and the surrounding area ahead of their announcement.
“The closure is a disgrace to loyal customers who have banked with them for years in Buckie as well as local businesses who rely on having access to a physical branch to deposit cash.
“The plans for a community mobile bank will be of little consolation to many constituents, particularly elderly and vulnerable people who appreciate having regular access to a physical branch.
“We are continuing to see the success of the banking hub in Forres, which allows customers access to banking services in the way they were used to before branches left the town. That should be all the proof Bank of Scotland bosses need that customers value having full banking services in their communities and that they should reverse this deeply damaging decision for Buckie.”
A spokesperson for BoS commented: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Buckie branch have fallen over recent years.
“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs. Customers can also manage their money through our mobile banking apps, online, by calling us or speaking to a community banker.”
A spokesperson for BoS commented: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Buckie branch have fallen over recent years.
“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs. Customers can also manage their money through our mobile banking apps, online, by calling us or speaking to a community banker.”
