Town concern as bank is to close
Crieff residents have been dealt another blow after it was announced the Clydesdale Bank in the town is to close.
The branch on West High Street will shut its doors for the final time on Wednesday, June 3.
It is one of seven Scottish Clydesdale branches set to be axed in the summer, with bosses saying this is due to low usage.
Both the Crieff branch and the branch on Perth High Street closed suddenly on Wednesday afternoon following the announcement, but both reopened the following morning.
Posters will soon be appearing at Crieff, and letters will be sent out to all the customers who use that branch, detailing alternative ways of managing their bank accounts, as well as details of their nearest branch, ATM and post office for their dayto-day banking.
The nearest Clydesdale branch is in Perth High Street, some 18 miles away.
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said there are “deep seated” concerns amongst residents in Crieff, and said she has highlighted that to bank officials.
She said: “This is desperately worrying news, most especially for towns where there has only been one banking facility.
“It will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on local businesses and many residents who live in the more remote rural areas.
“Just like similar issues recently faced by Comrie, these decisions are not taken on the basis of full consultation with the local community and they remove yet another crucial facility from a town.”
Virgin Money UK, which Clydesdale Bank is a part of, has said it intends to find alternative roles for its employees at the Crieff Clydesdale, but adds they may be at risk of redundancy.
In total, Virgin Money UK is expecting to cut around 500 full-time equivalent positions this year.
Lucy Dimes, group business transformation officer at Virgin Money UK, said: “The decision to close branches is never taken lightly.
“The changes announced today are focused on consolidating branches where there is another Clydesdale Bank or Virgin Money location within half a mile as well as closing a number of branches to reflect changes to customer demand.
“As our customers change the way they want to bank with us, we are evolving the role of our stores - investing in all of the ways that customers are choosing to bank with us, including a re-imagined Virgin Money presence on the high street.
“Following the unveiling of three new Virgin Money stores in December last year, the full re-brand of our national network of 166 stores begins in April and will be completed by September this year.”