More pressure on bank to avert closure

MOFFAT’S campaign to save its bank continues to up the ante as the area’s politicians get stuck in.

MP David Mundell joined forces with MSP Craig Hoy to meet with representatives of the Bank of Scotland and with LINK, the body which regulates cash access across the UK.

The move came after 3000 people signed a petition set up by Moffat resident, Evelyn Atkins, which called on the Bank of Scotland to reverse the closure decision.

The Dumfriesshire MP also presented the petition in the House of Commons, where he said: “Moffat and Upper Annandale residents and visitors to the area will be left without banking services and access to cash by the proposed closure of the local Bank of Scotland branch in Moffat, causing significant concern and worry for the local community, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and local businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, who rely on these banking services.”

At the meeting with bank bosses Mr Mundell and Mr Hoy stressed the importance of cash access and consumer banking services to residents, businesses and visitors.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Hoy said: “All too often big banking operators like Bank of Scotland simply shut up shop without thinking of the consequences for their account holders and the wider community. Alongside David Mundell, I am totally behind the campaign to save the bank, but sadly bank bosses are acting high-handedly and don’t appear to be listening to their customers.

“We have urged the Bank of Scotland to meet with the campaign group in order to hear first-hand their very real concerns about the impact of the closure.”

The political duo also met with representatives of LINK to press the case for wider access to cash in the town in the event that the Bank of Scotland presses ahead with the branch closure.

Mr Mundell added: “If the bank closes, Moffat will lose its only 24-hour town centre ATM machine and this will damage business and seriously impact residents, businesses and visitors. We have made this point to both Bank of Scotland and LINK and will continue to put pressure on them to ensure Moffat does not lose access to cash, which would be a blow to businesses in the town.

In addition, Mr Hoy has invited Bank of Scotland to meet with campaigners at the Scottish Parliament next month where the petition would be formally presented to them.