Mobile bank ‘may not access town centres’

Disappointment is high as it has emerged that mobile bank van services may be kept from rural town centres as RBS closes branches.

The Huntly branch disappeared this week and RBS plans to shut its Turriff branch in 10 days.

Some campaigners had held out hopes that the

“The mobile bank will be in a busy car park with cars turning around”

closures could be delayed or bank bosses persuaded to change their minds.

Those hopes have been dashed and now customers are worried because it has become clear the mobile banks which are the proposed replacement may not be able to park in some town centres due to parking restrictions.

Councillors have expressed their disappointment and voiced concerns for elderly people.

Huntly councillor Moira Ingleby said: “I’m very disappointed this is going to happen, especially as we are trying very hard to improve the square and retail services in the area as part of the regeneration.

“Banks are a vital part of Huntly as our demographic is mostly older people who don’t all have access to mobile or online banking. Everyone is disappointed. I’m saddened that more branches are closing.”

Fellow Huntly councillor Gwyneth Petrie said it was now time for campaigners to turn their attention to improving the replacement service. She said: “It’s unlikely anyone is going to change their minds so I think we will have to push for a better service. Currently the plan for the mobile bank is for it to come to Market Muir, which is outside of the town. There are options in the centre where they could have located it. Now it’s going to be in a busy car park where people will have to queue with cars turning round.”

Turriff RBS branch is due to close on June 26.

Turriff councillor Alastair Forsyth said: “I’m disappointed the bank has taken this decision after the extensive campaign to halt the closures. I wish branch staff every success in the future and thank them for their years of dedicated service to Turriff and district.

“What I wish for now is that mobile services will be strengthened so that customers will still be offered good services after the branch closes.”

CONCERNED: Councillor Moira Ingleby, in front of the closed Huntly branch of RBS, is worried about elderly people’s access to banking