Shock as Bank of Scotland announces more closures
Businesses and individuals in Tarbert have been dealt a severe blow with the news that the only bank in the village will close.
The Bank of Scotland on Harbour Street will shut permanently on Monday April 29. The branch in Bowmore on Islay will follow suit when it closes on Wednesday May 8. The news has been met by anger from local people throughout Kintyre and the islands.
It follows an equally unpopular move by the Bank of Scotland, which closed its Dunoon branch on Tuesday.
Councillor Alastair Redman of the Kintyre and the Isles ward said: “I am shocked and hugely disappointed to hear the news that the Bank of Scotland are planning to close both the Bowmore and the Tarbert branches in our local ward. I have had many phone calls and lots of emails from justifiably angry and upset constituents.”
He added: “I will be contacting the Bank of Scotland’s management directly and working with my colleagues to get this matter sorted out. I hope the Bank of Scotland sees sense and changes its mind on this damaging proposal.”
The bank blamed the closures on an increase in the number of customers using online services, with a Bank of Scotland spokesman adding: “The local Post Office in each town offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close-by freeto-use ATMs, alongside other ways to bank such as online, phone and mobile services.”
Only last week the Advertiser reported that Argyll and Bute could end up “bankless” in the near future after 94 per cent of the seven largest banks had closed their branches in the area in the last three years.
The study by analytics firm SAS concluded Argyll and Bute was the second most likely area in the UK to end up bankless in 2024.
A decision to close the Dunoon branch went ahead this week despite public uproar. More than 1,700 people signed a petition attempting to stop the Cowal closure. That figure represents a third of the adult population of Dunoon.
A large crowd gathered in the town on Friday December 1 to present the petition to staff.
Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara delivered a rousing speech at the protest. He said: “The Bank of Scotland’s decision to close this branch is
People gathered to witness the handing over of the petition in Dunoon, protesting against the branch closure.
absolutely indefensible. This is corporate greed at its worst.
“You can see the strength of opposition there is to this in the community. I will continue to press in Parliament for a change in this ridiculous decimation of our banking services in Argyll and Bute.”
Local shopkeeper Dinah MacDonald added: “The petition has been signed in person by over 1,700 folk. Many have written, phoned and emailed the bank and all the signatures are from folk who have very real concerns about the loss.
“The bank claims it is underused yet on many days the queue stretches out of the door and there is always a queue before the bank opens each morning.
“The petition has been signed by our MP and MSP, both of whom have written to the bank and local councillors have written a cross party joint letter.
“Many have written to the financial services ombudsman - all to no avail.”
Inveraray came out in force, as always, to support the Santa parade and lights switch-on at the weekend.
Mid Argyll Pipe Band did the honours by leading Santa (Davy MacPherson) and the parade to the fire station, where there were stalls, refreshments available and loads of entertainment on hand.
Donations from takings were made to Inveraray Shinty Club’s men and women’s teams, Inveraray Golf Club and the new ARCK fund in memory of the town’s young men
Alan Cameron and Ross Kennedy.
Jennifer and Tom Evans from Evans Funfair did the honours with the Christmas lights and there was a special light in the shape of a red tractor dedicated to 19-year-old Alan, who loved his work as an apprentice agricultural engineer and as a farm hand at the Cladich Highland Cattle Fold at Dalmally.
Inveraray’s Christmas tree all lit up.
This year’s Unsung Hero of Inveraray was also named at the event as Ian Lindsay, who was nominated for his tireless work at Inveraray Highland Games and the Royal British Legion Scotland Inveraray branch. He was given a voucher for dinner for two at the Inveraray Inn.
Linda Divers from Inveraray Community Council said: “It was absolutely fantastic and everyone was so generous. It wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s help and it’s not often that I’m left lost for words.
“It was special to raise so much money for a great cause that will hopefully help with access for local kids to activities in Inveraray because there is not many options for them in the town right now.
“Thank you to everyone that came out to support this event, your support is really appreciated by us all.”
She also thanked some of the many other generous volunteers that had turned out for a good cause on the night, with the tree provided by Marcus Van-Stone and Argyll Estates.
Al Rodden was also at the forefront of putting up the lights and Cathie “Christmas” Owen helped to build the grotto, with Brenda and Ernie Crawford stepping in as Santa’s elves as part of a big community effort.