Moray MP Douglas Ross and local Councillor James Allan have welcomed reassurances given by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) that recent cancellations of its mobile branch service in Lossiemouth are a result of short-term issues and the service should return to normal in the coming weeks.
Commenting Douglas said: “I contacted bank officials after many constituents complained that the mobile service was cancelled at short notice on two separate occasions over the last fortnight
“With little communication from the bank, concerns were raised with me that this was a sign that the service could be about to be withdrawn altogether. This would have been disastrous for the town and the customers that rely on the service.
“I’ve now received a response giving assurances that these cancellations were down to staff shortages and that the service due to take place next Wednesday (October 17th) is expected to go ahead as normal.
“Obviously I very much welcome these reassurances and the fact that the RBS provide a service in Lossiemouth.
“However, it would be better if the bank were able to give reassurances that there will be a contingency plan going forward for such staff shortages in the future or provide better communications should there be cancellations in the future. People in Lossiemouth need and deserve a reliable banking service.”
Local Councillor James Allan added: “There is a lot of anger in the town after we lost the bank branches and now the mobile bank service is unreliable. A community of Lossiemouth’s size needs a regular bank service and I will continue to raise the concerns of local residents who have been let down when this service is cancelled at short notice.
“Ideally Lossiemouth would have a banking hub like the one that has been set-up in Forres and Douglas and I are keen to work together to look at this for the town.”