Banks and post office should share services

Sir, Given that Holyrood and Highlands and Islands Enterprise pontificate rather than act, we need to sort out bank access for rural communities now.

The decision of the banks is understandable as physical coins and notes will disappear by 2030 as contactless cards and phone technology provide an alternative. So how do we provide services to communities?

We need to start with an existing or new cyber café as communities are about people. Coffee sales will bring in some income, as will having a Link cash machine. The café also needs to be a post office two mornings a week. More income will come from the NHS paying Royal Mail for posties to check on isolated elderly residents.

The same premises need to be shared with bank tellers who will come in two mornings a week and will rotate between the three Scottish banks. Decisions on loans and other matters can be done via a secure video link. Cash takings by small businesses can be stored in a safe and collected by a security van.

Sharing services and multiple income streams make this solution workable for a social enterprise business. Mike Foster, Oban.