AFTER the closure of the TSB branch in Cowdenbeath last week (Tuesday), local residents have been reminded they can do their banking at the post office.

With the bank at 92 High Street now officially shut – the decision was taken last September – the National Federation of Sub Postmasters said customers can still access cash while banks “continue to desert the high street”.

A spokesperson said: “The closure will doubtless be disappointing to TSB’s customers in Cowdenbeath.

“However, alternative banking provision is available to local residents at post office branches nearby.”

The nearest would be at Cowdenbeath Post Office, at 308 High Street, while customers could also go to the Hill of Beath Post Office on Main Street, or the Lochgelly Post Office on Main Street.

He added: “Each of these branches offers banking services – including deposits, free cash withdrawals and balance checks, as well as offering face-to-face access to government services, bill payment, foreign currency, travel insurance and, of course, postal services.

“Post offices are proving vital to retaining people’s and businesses access to cash as the banks continue to desert the high street in order to cut costs and increase their profits.””Every post office plays a vital role within the heart of the local community. Post offices provide a reliable and essential service which has continued at a high standard across the whole of the UK throughout the pandemic.”

When the TSB announced last September they were closing 73 Scottish branches, including Cowdenbeath, Age Scotland accused them of “putting profits before its customers”.

The move affected 300 jobs and, after a raft of other closures, it leaves just one bank, the Bank of Scotland, in the town.

The nearest TSB branch is in Dunfermline.

Robin Bulloch, customer banking director, had said: “These decisions are the most difficult we take, but we must always be guided by our customers – and we are clearly witnessing a substantial shift towards digital banking.”

Despite pressure from Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing and others calling on the bank to reverse the decision to close, the TSB confirmed the decision would stand.

In November, Cowdenbeath Community Council tried to ensure that the ATM would at least remain and had began looking into the legalities of having it kept.

However, TSB said the cash machine would also go when the branch shuts.

A spokesperson explained: “TSB does not operate a remote ATM network and as such all of our ATMs are physically located at our branches. As such when we close the branch we must also remove the ATM.”

The community council responded: “The bank has had the support of the community for many years and it’s so disappointing that their loyalty is not being recognised.

“Losing the ATM means that the north end of the town will be without a 24/7 service for accessing cash.”