ANNABELLE Ewing MSP has expressed concern at the recent announcement of the closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Cowdenbeath.
As member of the Scottish Parliament for the Cowdenbeath constituency, Ms Ewing has written to Charlie Nunn, chief executive of the Lloyds Banking Group, to raise her worries about the recent announcement.
Ms Ewing said: “There is absolutely no doubting the dismay that greeted the recent announcement from Lloyds Banking Group that the Cowdenbeath branch of the Bank of Scotland has been earmarked for closure on June 24, 2025. I hope that they will reconsider.
“Everyone understands that the ways in which people do their banking have changed immensely in recent years and I appreciate the commercial drivers behind the branch closure decisions we are seeing across the UK and across the sector.”
As previously reported in the Times, the doors are due to shut at the High Street facility on June 24 next year.
Provision of a banking hub has been planned for the area to let customers carry on with their everyday banking.
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It follows an assessment of how customers are managing their money and using the branch.
Times readers have since "slammed" the announcement and local councillor Darren Watt took to his Facebook page to express his disappointment at the news.
He wrote: "This is not only the last remaining bank in Cowdenbeath, but the last in the local area following other bank closures in Kelty and Lochgelly in recent years.
"Despite an ever increasing cashless culture, in-person banking still remains a very important part of life for many people, particularly those most vulnerable in our society, and I sincerely hope proper support, guidance, and advice will be offered to those most affected."
Ms Ewing added: “Nevertheless, when bank branches close, it is those customers for whom a local branch remains important who are disproportionately affected by closures.
“And they are the digitally excluded, the less well off and the elderly. Those for whom travel to another town is significantly more difficult.
“Local businesses with cash to deposit face another hurdle and bank staff now face uncertainty and the prospect of redundancy or inconvenient relocation.
“That is why I have written to Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive Officer of the Lloyds Banking Group, expressing my concern at this development and seeking a meeting to discuss what alternatives are available to customers and what plans they have for the staff currently based at the Cowdenbeath branch.”
Announcing the closure, the bank had said: "Most customers are now using our Mobile Banking app, Internet Banking or calling us instead.
"This means they are using branches, including our Cowdenbeath branch much less.
"Because of this, we'll be closing our Cowdenbeath branch."
"Banking Hubs are shared banking spaces on the high street operated by the Post Office," a statement from Bank of Scotland explained.
"They are open Monday to Friday.
"Customers of all major banks and building societies can use them to do their everyday banking tasks.
"Our Community Banker will be at the Banking Hub one day a week, so you can come in and do your banking in person.
"We'll update our website with the hub address, opening times and when our Community Banker will be there, when this information becomes available."
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