Ellon bank closure – MP writes to Bank of Scotland overs calls for mobile branch – Scottish Business News

Harriet Cross MP has written to the Bank of Scotland calling for a mobile branch to be rolled out in Ellon “as soon as possible” amid next week’s closure of the town’s only remaining physical bank.

In her letter, the Gordon and Buchan MP has described the bank’s actions as a “disappointing display of attitude” and believes a shared banking hub must also be looked at to protect elderly and vulnerable customers.

Ellon’s Bank of Scotland, situated in The Square, will close on Tuesday in what has been described as a “hammer blow” to the community.

The move has been blamed on a rise in online banking and comes less than a year since the nearby Virgin Money shut in November.

Ellon’s TSB closed on Bridge Street in April last year, and the Royal Bank of Scotland, also on Bridge Street, closed in 2018.

But since the closure of the town’s last remaining bank was announced, the Bank of Scotland has already scrapped its mobile branch services in other communities across Aberdeenshire including Turriff and New Pitsligo, heightening fears for Ellon.

In her letter, Ms Cross said 21% of Ellon’s customers do not use online banking, referencing the branch’s cut to opening hours as one of the reasons for reduced footfall in recent years.

She said: “Next week’s closure of Ellon’s last remaining bank is a huge blow to residents who are still coming to terms with losing the nearby Virgin Bank and in recent years, the TSB and Royal Bank of Scotland branches on Bridge Street.

“Ellon residents who want the option of banking face-to-face will now have to travel to Aberdeen or Inverurie for that service which isn’t feasible for many, especially the elderly.

“Several businesses in the area, in sectors including farming and retail, regularly rely on this branch, and having also spoken to residents, it’s clear this will be hugely detrimental to accessing cash in the town centre.

“I have written to the Bank of Scotland calling for urgent clarity on when the community banker will attend Ellon and for how long.

“There must also now be a very strong case for a shared banking hub for Ellon, which has been adopted in other parts of the North East and I will continue to make this known to the banking operators.”