LOCAL MP ‘DISAPPOINTED’ AND SEEKS ASSURANCES FOR CUSTOMERS AND STAFF

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has today expressed her disappointment at the Bank of Scotland’s decision to close its Bothwell branch.

The Local MP has also written to the Bank of Scotland seeking assurances that customers will still receive a full service and that no one will be out of a job.

The branch is due for closure on Monday 13 June 2016 and comes as part of the Bank’s 2014 review.

 Commenting, Angela said:

 “Customers are increasingly being drawn to faceless banking, be it through mobile apps, internet banking or over the phone.

 “Some people may find it more convenient, but a significant number of my customers prefer to do banking in person, including a number of my

constituents who have done their banking face-to-face for decades.  

 The local MP also raised a particular concern relating to the elderly population in Bothwell that may not be in a position to travel the required 1.5 miles to the Uddingston branch, saying:

 “Bothwell is home to a number of my elderly constituents and not everyone is fit to make the mile and a half journey. The elderly population are also less likely to engage with modern banking, so to have the branch closed is a real disappointment for them.

 “We often see adverts from banks claiming to put their customers at the heart of their business. Closing branches up and down the country seems to fly in the face of this.