Bank closures leaving Scotland’s ‘Route 66’ visitors without cash
● Business leaders warn lack of ATMS means less money spent along route
The closure of bank branches across the Highlands could damage the popularity of the North Coast 500 route, business leaders are warning.
Described as “Scotland’s answer to Route 66”, the NC500, starts at Inverness and loops round the north of Scotland before circling back to Inverness.
In the first year since the 516-mile stretch was officially launched in 2015 by North Highland Initiative, 29,000 more people visited the north of Scotland, spending an additional £9 million locally.
However, small businesses say the success of the new initiative, named as one of the top six coastal routes in the world, could be jeopardised by banks closing branches leaving people without access to ATMS.
The Bank of Scotland is closing six branches north of Inverness in September – Beauly, Bonar Bridge, Dornoch, Fortrose, Helmsdale and Lairg.
The Royal Bank of Scotland has closed branches in Invergordon, Lybster and Lochinver over the past two years and the Clydesdale closed down its branch in Thurso.
David Richardson, Federation of Small Businesses development manager, Highlands and Islands, said the closures were affecting NC500 users as well as local businesses. “The closures are having a big impact on small businesses in fragile communities. While NC 500 has been a huge boost, what matters is not the number of tourists you attract but how much they spend when they come through the door,” he said.
Gail Ross, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said the banks should listen to the FSB and at the very least do a proper and thorough consultation and impact assessment. “It would be a sad irony if communities missed out on the economic benefits the NC500 brings because of bank closures,” she said.
A Bank of Scotland spokesman said it was investing heavily in digital and mobile whilst increasing mobile branch service.