Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD HITS OUT AT BANK OF SCOTLAND PLANS TO CLOSE FORRES BRANCH

MSP SAYS UK GOVERNMENT MUST STEP IN AS ANOTHER MORAY TOWN LOSES ITS LAST BANK 

Richard Lochhead MSP has hit out at the decision by the Bank of Scotland to close its Forres branch in July this year, leaving the community without a single bank branch.

Mr Lochhead has written urgently to the UK Government demanding action to prevent banks closing the last bank branch in a community.

Moray’s MSP has also sought an urgent meeting with the Bank of Scotland.

The Bank of Scotland closure comes after TSB announced that its Forres branch would close in April this year.

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Bank of Scotland’s announcement that it plans to close its Forres branch later this year will come as a huge blow to their customers and local businesses.

“The closure of the last bank in the town is devastating for Forres and will leave many people without access to much needed services. We’re getting to the point where Elgin is the only place left with branches open, which is a ridiculous situation for us to be in.

“It seems the rules in place to ensure communities have access to cash aren’t worth much if banks are allowed to go ahead and close the last bank in a town like Forres. The UK Government has made promises to legislate to ensure access to cash but aren’t treating this issue with the urgency that’s needed.

“Communities in Moray needed the UK Government to step in a long time ago but instead Ministers have sat on their hands while banking services in Forres and across Moray have been decimated.

“I’m seeking an urgent meeting with the Bank of Scotland and will be urging them to abandon plans to close their Forres branch but it is farcical that rules allow them to shut their doors and leave the community without a single bank.”