Banking Update

We have received this press release from the office of Local MP Graham Leadbitter, who Nairn BID manager Lucy has been keeping in contact with, since the announcement if the BoS closure was made.

LEADBITTER MEETS BANK OF SCOTLAND OVER NAIRN CLOSURE

Local MP, Graham Leadbitter, has met with representatives from the Bank of Scotland urging them to reconsider their decision to close their branch in Nairn. 

The closure of the branch would see the town left with no physical bank presence.

At the meeting, the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP asked the Bank to consider working to offer Banking Hub facilities as opposed to a full closure, and raised the potential of a strain being placed on the local Post Office, as well as the burden placed on older, vulnerable, and business customers who would have to travel long distances to access banking services.

Commenting, Graham Leadbitter MP said:

“I said I would work with all parties to find a solution, and I’m grateful to the Bank for taking the time to meet with me about the closure.

“This is the kind of community that needs a physical bank presence the most, and it should have one.

“To close the branch now, the last bank in the area and one people have come to rely on as a result of there being no others, would be a betrayal of the trust and custom of the local community.

“There are other options available I hope they’ll consider, including working with others to establish a banking hub in the town so as to retain banking services and not to place a strain on the Post Office.

“When changes to service provisions come around it’s almost always at the detriment of rural communities – that isn’t acceptable or tolerable and I hope they’ll take that on board and reconsider this closure.”