Campaign to save branches shut by RBS

ROYAL Bank of scotland is under pressure to cancel a sweeping branch closure programme after it U-turned on shutting a string of scottish sites.

The bailed-out Natwest owner dropped plans to axe ten outlets north of the border following a public outcry.

But it will pull the shutters down on 249 across the UK this year, with the loss of more than 600 jobs.

Campaigners last night, however, implored bosses to rethink.

When a branch shuts, vulnerable customers are forced to travel miles for basic financial services.

High streets left without a nearby bank see falls in visitors, and shopkeepers have to shut their doors to drive to the nearest bank to deposit cash.

Trade union Unite said the change of heart in scotland sets a precedent for abandoning all closures across the country. National officer rob MacGregor said: ‘Instead of deserting communities in England and Wales, Unite is calling on RBS to put a moratorium on all the planned bank branch closures.’

RBS insisted the ten scottish branches it has saved are special cases, and that only two or three in England and Wales would qualify for a rethink. The sites are in isolated areas far from other banks. If there is a sustainable increase in the amount of business they do during this time, an independent review will be launched that could see them kept open permanently.

Personal banking chief Jane Howard said: ‘We are committed to ensuring our customers and communities are able to continue accessing quality banking services.

Having listened to concerns in scotland, she said, ‘ we have decided to keep ten branches open until the end of 2018’.