Closure could put visitors off coming to Crieff
A Strath community council chair fears there will be a drop in the number of visitors to Crieff after its last full-time bank closes.
The West High Street Clydesdale Bank branch premises will shut for the final time on Wednesday, June 3.
It is one of seven Clydesdale branches in Scotland set to be axed in the summer due to low usage.
Customers who use the financial hub have been provided with information on alternative ways of managing their bank accounts, as well as details of their nearest branch, ATM and post office.
The town’s Bank of Scotland and TSB are only open three days a week, and neither is open during the weekend.
Crieff Community Council chair Harry Thomason said:“It is the last one open full time in the town. The nearest full-time bank will be in Perth.
“It would be a big blow to the town, just as we are trying to get things back to normal.
“We are looking to try to get people to come to shop and visit the town. But if they can’t get any money out they won’t come.
“I am surprised they are shutting it down. If there is an ATM they can use that – but they run out of money, which is not a good thing.
“One mobile bank goes to the King Street car park.
“But if it is raining, and there is usually a queue, you need to wait outside and you get soaked.
“It is really disappointing.”
A spokesperson for Virgin Money UK said: “Over an 18 month period we have seen a 85.8 per cent increase in internet banking, a 41.7 per cent increase in mobile registrations and a 43.1 per cent increase in usage of mobile banking.
“As a result of these changes in customer behaviour the Crieff branch is no longer viable for the bank to keep open, but I want to assure you that we remain committed to maintaining a strong national presence and will continue to invest in our branches where there is customer demand as well as investing in our digital offering.
She continued:“Our focus now is on ensuring that all customers at Crieff, particularly the most vulnerable, are supported through this transition.”