One month ahead of Carluke’s last bank closing, Bank of Scotland have confirmed there will be no new alternative introduced.

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley and Clydesdale MSP Màiri McAllan met with Bank of Scotland on Friday (May 27th) to again urge the bank to reconsider alternatives to closure.

However, Carluke does not meet the criteria used by Bank of Scotland to determine where mobile branches and community bankers should be located meaning residents will have to rely on the Post Office or travel to Lanark and Wishaw to do their banking.

No staff will be made redundant as a result of the closure and Bank of Scotland confirmed they have been reaching out to customers affected by the closure.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said

“I am grateful to Bank of Scotland for meeting with us again and for listening to the concerns of our constituents at the closure of the Carluke branch.

“While it is welcome that no staff will be made redundant as a result of this closure, it is disappointing that Carluke will be left without a bank and that alternatives to closure were dismissed.

“However, it is welcome that Bank of Scotland have confirmed there are no long-term plans to close either the Wishaw or Lanark branches.”

Clydesdale MSP  added:

“It is disappointing that Bank of Scotland have decided not to consider alternatives to closure of the Carluke bank. Myself and Angela Crawley MP have met with Bank of Scotland twice, and at these meetings have presented the views of our constituents, and the strength of feeling expressed clearly through the signatures to our petition.

“It will however bring some reassurance that none of the staff will be made redundant, and Bank of Scotland has confirmed there are no long-term plans to close Lanark branch – which takes on an increasingly important role for the wider Clydesdale community.

“I have also been reassured that Carluke Post Office is secure and there is no threat of closure to this.”