‘Bank closure issues are still not answered’
Scottish Conservative politicians have said they are seeking another meeting with Bank of Scotland bosses to discuss matters concerning the impending closure of the Kinross branch they reckon remain unresolved.
Kinross-shire councillor Callum Purves and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith say they want to see senior management again to ask how staff intend to assist customers if a mooted replacement mobile branch is unable to operate under continuing lockdown restrictions.
Bank of Scotland has confirmed its Kinross High Street branch will close on March 22 and, with no sign of restrictions on movement easing anytime soon, Cllr Purves and Ms Smith fear some locals unable to do their banking online will struggle to access services.
Cllr Purves commented: “I am very concerned to hear that the Bank of Scotland is planning to close the Kinross branch when it looks like the lockdown will continue for months.
“The closure of the Kinross branch will have a huge impact on local residents. My Conservative colleague Liz Smith and I are seeking a further meeting with the Bank of Scotland to address a number of issues.
“These include the fact that we were told that the mobile branch would be operational in Kinross six weeks prior to closure and that existing staff would be on hand to help customers with the transition.
“However, I believe these mobile branches are not operating under tier four restrictions. So we want to know how this fits with the now confirmed closure date. In addition, we were also offered the opportunity to see the facilities during this transition.”
Cllr Purves continued: “The Co-op is still operating a one in, one out system during peak periods, which will make it more difficult for people to use the banking facilities at the Post Office located within that shop.
“And there have been a number of reports online over the past few weeks that people in Kinross-shire have been unable to deposit money at the Post Office, which is clearly a concern with the impending closure.”
Ms Smith added: “We are seeking a meeting as soon as possible to raise these issues with senior staff at the Bank of Scotland. This branch closure will result in major changes for banking for local residents, with the Bank of Scotland stating the nearest available branch will be Cowdenbeath once Kinross closes.
“Public transport in parts of rural Kinross-shire is not great and many residents who live in the likes of Powmill, Crook of Devon and Rumbling Bridge could spend hours having to travel on buses to get to a bank.
“And many of them will be reluctant to do so because of the lockdown measures and concerns over the virus.”
A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “We have made the difficult decision to close Kinross on March 22 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which means the branch is being used less often. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
“Bank of Scotland is introducing a new mobile branch service which will visit the Kinross area. This will provide a personal, face-to-face service giving customers access to everyday banking services.
“This new service will be in place prior to the branch closing and colleagues will be on hand to help with online banking and general inquiries.”