Opening of new credit union

A new credit union was officially opened yesterday in Perthshire.

Councillor Dave Doogan, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and health committee, cut the ribbon at the facility in Crieff.

Staff from the Perth and Kinross Credit Union (PKCU) in James Square, Crieff, have been offering a service since November. Residents can drop in to discuss taking out loans or inquire about starting up a savings account.

PKCU was launched in April 2014 and offers a range of lending and saving services for anyone who lives or works in Perth and Kinross.

Based on High Street, Perth, it is a non-profit making fullyregulated financial cooperative, which is owned and controlled by its members.

An independent organisation, it offers financial services to for people who may not be able to access basic services such as a bank account or personal loan.

Earlier this year the organisation also launched weekly sessions in Blairgowrie and there are plans to further extend the service to Pitlochry, Kinross and in Letham, Perth.

Yesterday, PKCU chairman Euan Walker said: “We want to reach as many people as possible and that’s why we are going out into local communities around Perth and Kinross to offer our services. I’m delighted that we have been able to work with the council to open this weekly service in Crieff.”