Bank Of Scotland planning closure of multiple branches
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Lloyds Banking have announced their intentions to close the Turriff's Bank Of Scotland as part of plans to close a number of banking branches across the UK.
The proposed date of closure has been listed as June 30, with a total 23 Bank Of Scotland branches expected to close before the end of October.
According to a review published by the bank the closure is the result of a 16 percent decrease in footfall in the branch over the past year, with ATM usage also down.
The group claim that the branch is 74 percent quieter in regards to personal accounts, and 34 percent quieter in regards to business accounts, than their "average branch".
MSP Gillian Martin MSP has voiced her disappointment after the announcement today when Patrick Leavey of Lloyds Banking stated that banking functions in Turriff would be replaced by a new mobile branch in the town.
The timetable has yet to be established, but mobile branches typically visit for one to three hours a few times a week.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP said she would be happy to work with the bank to see improvements, including the creation of pre-arranged collections for businesses seeking to deposit large amounts of cash, saying: “As the MSP for Turriff, I am of course deeply disappointed that the Bank of Scotland branch is now set to close, particularly following the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2018.
“Whilst I recognise that branch use has been declining, there are still important and legitimate questions regarding security and disabled access in the alternative banking provision.
“As the constituency MSP I am calling on the Bank of Scotland to work with me to put measures in place to provide specific support for vulnerable groups, retain the current cash point and ensure local businesses are supported during this transition period.
“It’s clear there is work to be done here, and, as the constituency MSP, I hope that the Bank of Scotland will work with me to listen to the views of the community to ensure there is provision in the Turriff area.
"I also would like reassurances regarding the redeployment of staff who currently work at Turriff.”
The closure is a blow to the town, especially following the loss of the neighbouring Royal Bank Of Scotland in 2018 and the reduction of operating hours of the Turriff Branch of TSB in 2019.
The nearest Bank Of Scotland branches to the town following the closure of the Turriff branch in June will be Banff or Inverurie, with the Huntly branch also listed for closure.
