Dismay as closure date is confirmed for bank
Village loses only branch after reprieve due to Covid-19
Killin is set to lose it’s remaining bank branch next year after Bank of Scotland bosses decided to go ahead with a postponed closure.
The branch was set to close on August 26 due to a decline in usage, but that plan was put on hold as bank chiefs prioritised keeping “essential services” available to customers through the coronavirus pandemic.
But with the lockdown measures easing across Scotland, a statement from the bank to the Observer confirmed a new closure date of March 24.
It follows a similar announcement revealed last week that the bank’s Balfron branch - which has been the subject of an extended community effort to keep it open - would also be closing it’s doors on March 8.
The spokesperson said: “Earlier this year we announced a number of branches that would be closing due to a decline in use over time, which included the Killin branch.
“We paused the closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, after careful consideration, the Bank of Scotland Killin branch will now close on the March 24 2021.”
The news of the Killin closure was blasted by a local councillor.
Trossachs and Teith representative Martin Earl said: “I just don’t agree with the decision to close the branch.
“Despite all the arguments put forward against closure, or the appeals to some corporate social responsibility, the bottom line has prevailed and they appear resolved to pursue removing the last bricks and mortar bank in this huge rural area.”
Bank chiefs have insisted that residents in the village will be able to access their accounts easily - including with the use of a mobile branch service which is set to be in place ahead of the existing branch closing it’s doors.
Meanwhile, all existing accounts based in Killin will now be realigned to the bank’s Callander branch.
The chairman of Killin Community Council, Andy Aitken, says the group has been given assurances that the mobile branch will provide “adequate provision” for locals.
Mr Aitken added: “We are led to believe this will be fully disabled friendly, and visiting at least twice a week.
“We are keen to see if Bank of Scotland is able to provide a cash machine service, but we have not heard back from them on this point.”
They appear resolved to pursue removing the last bricks and mortar bank in this huge rural area.