Anger as Bank of Scotland closure plans set to leave Dunblane without a bank

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Dunblane is set to lose its remaining bank branch after the Bank of Scotland announced its intention to close in the town later this year.Lloyds Banking Group - who own Bank of Scotland - made the announcement on Wednesday that it intends to shut 60 branches across the UK, including 19 BoS sites, with the firm blaming the increased numbers of people making use of online banking rather than attending branches.The Dunblane branch is one of those facing the chop, with the site set for closure on July 7.It follows on from the Royal Bank of Scotland branch locking its doors in 2018.The news of the closure has been slammed by community groups, who say both businesses and residents in Dunblane will be hit hard by the move.David Prescott, chairman of Dunblane Community Council, said: “The community will be angry and frustrated with the closure of our surviving bank in Dunblane which is a real blow to the 10,000 residents and a further blow to our High Street.“The branch is busy, often with queues reaching to the door, so Lloyds cannot be claim that it is not used.“This will particularly impact on those who cannot or do not wish to be forced into internet banking, which includes many of the more elderly members of the population.“Accessing face-to-face banking will now require a minimum 12 mile round trip to Stirling, which is completely contrary to Scottish Government’s policies to reduce travel and focus on local communities and ‘20 minute neighbourhoods’ to hit net zero targets.“We find it really disappointing that the banks should choose to discriminate against, and disadvantage, their customers who need or prefer to bank in-person.“We look to our local politicians to put pressure on Lloyds Group to reverse this decision and