Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed the Bank of Scotland after they revealed today their plans to shut the Forres branch. Douglas says the decision is “absolutely outrageous” given that this will now leave Forres without any bank after TSB revealed plans at the end of last year to close their High Street Branch in 2022.
He added that this will cause huge anxiety among elderly and vulnerable people in Forres in particular, who are still heavily reliant on having access to banking services on their doorstep.
He added that is a “completely shoddy” way to treat customers and staff, especially when access to mobile and broadband connections are still extremely unreliable in rural and remote communities.
The Moray MP has urged the Bank of Scotland to urgently reverse their decision and guarantee that residents and businesses in Forres won’t be left without a bank in the town.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “It beggars belief that the Bank of Scotland are set to close their branch in Forres. It is absolutely outrageous given TSB are already planning to close their branch in the town.
“If the Bank of Scotland press ahead with these plans, residents and businesses in Forres will have no bank at all. That is totally unacceptable and a dereliction of duty to loyal customers.
“Many of these customers, particularly our elderly and vulnerable local resident will be hugely anxious at the prospect of losing their local bank.
“Broadband and mobile connections are not reliable in rural and remote parts of Moray so online services from banks are no substitute for a local branch, and many customers still prefer carrying out banking services face-to-face.
“On top of that local businesses rely on having a bank open nearby to deposit their cash each day. They would now face the prospect of having to travel miles away just to deposit their takings.
“I am urgently seeking talks with Bank of Scotland to call on them to immediately re-think their decision to abandon the people of Forres, who will suddenly find the prospect of accessing banking services far more difficult.”