Clydesdale Bank have announced that two of their bank branches in Renfrewshire are to close.
Customers from both branches will have to travel to Paisley to carry out banking transactions.
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It is thought that digital banking is to blame for the move.
Clydesdale and Yorkshire banking group is closing 79 branches, throughout the UK with the loss of 400 jobs – which is a third of their banking network. |
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Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, whose constituency covers Renfrew said: “I am extremely frustrated and disappointed to learn that the Clydesdale Bank is planning on closing its Renfrew town centre branch. This bank has been based in the town for as many years that I can remember and is valued by local people. My immediate thoughts are with all those who work in the Clydesdale Bank Renfrew branch.
“I’m angry as this is another local bank which is being closed in Renfrewshire. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a number of community banks being closed despite their importance to local people. This is not only a problem in Renfrewshire but across the UK where the number of bank branches has been decimated over the past few years. I have previously spoken on this in parliament and called on the UK Government to help maintain local banking.
“I have contacted Clydesdale Bank to seek an urgent meeting on this closure in order to find out the reasons behind this decision and if anything can be done to reverse this disappointing decision.”
Mhairi Black, SNP MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire South, whose constituency covers the Johnstone closure said: “This is devastating news for customers in Johnstone and further afield like Lochwinnoch who rely on the local branch for their banking.
“It will mean that the nearest Clydesdale Branch will be in Paisley, forcing customers to travel further to access banking services.
“I will be contacting the Clydesdale Bank to ask them to reconsider their closure plans or to at least outline alternative options to help their customers from Johnstone and surrounding areas.”
Tom Arthur, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire South, whose constituency also covers the Johnstone closure has said: “I was very disappointed to receive this news from Clydesdale Bank, and it appears to be part of a wider closure programme across the country.
“I have asked for a meeting with the bank to discuss this and what it means for staff in the affected branch.
“This closure will also have an impact on local businesses and community groups who have to use the branch facilities to their transactions, as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly who will have to travel further.
“I hope Clydesdale Bank will agree to meet quickly to discuss this and I will be putting my constituents’ viewpoints across as to how this will impact on them.
“If anyone has any specific points they would like me to raise, I can be contacted at tom.arthur.msp@parliament.scot”
Clydesdale Bank closure list in full: Aberdeen Riverside, Aberlour, Aboyne, Alloa, Banff, Bathgate, Bearsden, Beith, Bellshill, Brechin, Buckie, Cambuslang, Castle Douglas, Cumnock, Dalkeith, Dunoon, East Kilbride Stuart Street, Edinburgh Leith Walk, Edinburgh University, Forfar, Fraserburgh, Giffnock, Glasgow Aikenhead Road, Glasgow Bath Street, Glasgow Charing Cross, Grangemouth, Johnstone, Leith, Leven, Mintlaw, Renfrew, Rosyth, Rothesay, Saltcoats, South Queensferry, Stonehaven, Stranraer, Thurso, Tillicoultry and Troon.