Angela Crawley MP, Màiri McAllan MSP and Councillor Julia Marrs have secured a commitment from TSB to ensure banking facilities will remain in Lanark.

This week, the bank have confirmed that a pop-up branch will be introduced on a trial basis for six months due to Lanark’s unique circumstances.

The pilot pop-up branch will be open in Lanark one day a week at a venue to be confirmed providing customers with a range of non-cash services.

At ‘pop-ups’, TSB advisors provide face-to-face support, including making payments, providing product information and helping customers get started with digital banking.

In December, TSB announced plans to close their branch in Lanark in April but without a commitment to introduce a pop-up branch.

Subsequent meetings between the bank and Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley, Clydesdale MSP Màiri McAllan and Clydesdale North councillor Julia Marrs have taken place.

Lanark does not meet TSB’s usual criteria for a pop-up branch but concerns about Lanark’s unique circumstances including its rural location were raised and have been listened to by TSB.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“Providing a pop-up branch in Lanark will ensure access to banking services for vulnerable customers will remain on their doorstep.

“While this is not the ideal solution which would have seen the branch remain open, I am glad TSB have listened to our concerns and have acted upon them so that their customers in Clydesdale will not be left without banking services.

“The pilot pop-up branch will become a permanent fixture if successful and I have no doubt it will be well-used by the people of Lanark.”

Clydesdale MSP Màiri McAllan added:

“I am very pleased that TSB have listened to calls from myself and colleagues and have committed to this service in Lanark.

“At our meetings, I argued that the TSB service was important not just for those living in Lanark but also for people in our wider, rural communities who travel to Lanark for banking.

“Whilst it is disappointing to lose the branch, this new pilot pop-up is a significant win and I’d encourage people to use the service so it is successful and can become permanent in Clydesdale.”

Councillor Julia Marrs, Clydesdale North said:

“The particular concerns of our rural Lanark area and access to banking services have been listened to. Whilst I am still disappointed to see a branch close, I am pleased that access to vital services have been protected.”

TSB Regional Director Scotland, Stuart Gray said:

“We have listened to the concerns of the local community and will introduce a pop-up, providing a face-to-face banking service for TSB customers in Lanark one day per week.

“We will be engaging customers to make them aware of the pop-up and how it can support them with their banking needs after the branch has closed.

“We will also be working with local partners to raise awareness of the pilot, doing everything we can to make it a success.”