‘They’re going to destroy our town’
OVER 40 people gathered outside Moffat House Hotel yesterday for a final picket protesting the closure of the town’s only bank.
The campaign to stop the closure of Moffat’s Bank of Scotland has been on-going for six months.
Retired bank employee Evelyn Atkins, 76, has led the charge by starting a petition, mobilising the community and organising rallies – all with the backing of politicians and charity Age Scotland.
Determined to fight to the end, Evelyn wanted to thank everyone who has supported the campaign.
She commented: “There has been a lot of support but there has also been a lot of people who think the decision cannot be changed.
“My view on that is that a decision can be changed as long as people stand together, speak with one voice and support people that try to help in situations like this.
“I don’t think we could have made it any clearer or plainer in our reasons as to why we need our bank open.
“We’re a busy town, we need cash, our businesses deal in cash.
“I think they are making a grave mistake in closing our branch, they’re going to destroy our town.”
One of the main concerns expressed by residents is that when the branch closes, the nearest bank will be more than 20 miles away.
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Community stalwart Linnhe Cringean has three accounts at the bank and believes that decision makers at Bank of Scotland should be held to account.
Linnhe said: “I genuinely think that seeing people come out now that it’s closer to the closure that people are realising that we might be able to make a difference.
“Even if we don’t prevent the closure we might be able to make a change in terms of the facilities that are granted to us, and we also might make them think badly of themselves for closing it in the first place.
“It’s an erosion of rural life because this isn’t just happening in Moffat, it’s happening across the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway.
“The fact that they are taking the cash-line away as well as the bank isn’t acceptable and someone needs to be held accountable for these decisions.”
Also joining her fellow Moffat residents on the picket line was Annandale North councillor Lynne Davis, who applauded the town for their efforts.
She added: “The people of Moffat have definitely put up a good fight.
Evelyn has been very up-front with the campaign. The petition made it all the way to the Westminster and the Scottish Parliament, and she’s tried tirelessly.
“But it’s unfortunate that at this moment in time it seems like a fore-gone conclusion and that it is going to go ahead.
“Which is a shame because all of the older people in Moffat rely on the bank to get support and advice.
“Plus it’s not very good that without the bank the town will not have a visible cash line on the High Street, so it’s going to be a great loss to the town.”
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