CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland has accused the Bank of Scotland of “badly letting down” customers over the closure of their branch in Dunbar.
Last week the Lloyds Banking Group, who operate the Bank of Scotland, announced the closure of their bank in Dunbar, which is set to close in May 2024. In response, Craig Hoy MSP requested an urgent meeting with the bank, which was held on Friday morning.
He asked if the bank would change the decision and pressed for a commitment that other banking services in East Lothian and across South Scotland would be safe from closure.
The bank said it would not reverse its decision – despite Mr Hoy having over 300 signatures from residents for his campaign to save the bank.
This means Dunbar residents will be forced to rely on reduced services via a local Post Office or be forced to travel to Haddington to access a Bank of Scotland.
The South Scotland MSP said: “I met with Bank of Scotland officials on Friday morning to voice strong opposition to their plans to close their branch in Dunbar. I am very unhappy about the bank's lack of commitment to East Lothian and the Borders and to the small towns of Scotland which serve our rural communities.
“The bank is betraying loyal customers who rely on access to in-person cash services and this closure comes despite an increase in the local population in Dunbar.
“Apparently as many as one in four people who use these branches do not currently access other forms of banking, such as internet or phone banking. They run the risk of being left without access to a full range of banking services.”
Mr Hoy launched a campaign last week with local ward Councillor Donna Collins against the bank closure, which has so far received 300 signatures.
Conservative Councillor Donna Collins for Dunbar and East Linton ward said: “The planned closure of the Dunbar branch of the Bank of Scotland will leave residents of Dunbar and its surrounding rural communities with no other local banking facilities, meaning they would have to travel to either Haddington or North Berwick to conduct in-person banking facilities.
“I am hopeful that the Bank will reconsidered this ill-advised decision and put their customers first, especially those with no option but to use in-person banking facilities.”
