Millport: Bank of Scotland closure in Scottish Parliament

However, the Lloyds Banking Group has told a local councillor that keeping the Bank of Scotland on the Isle of Cumbrae open was unsustainable "as it only had 25 regular customers".

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall has been in correspendence with the Bank of Scotland, which made assurances that there will be alternative banking provision on the island - as well as a new ATM in Millport.

Cllr Tom Marshall has sought assurances over ATM cover on Cumbrae (Image: North Ayrshire Conservatives)

Owners Lloyd Banking Group have also given assurances that there will be no island redundancies as a result of the closure.

We reported last week that the bank is to close in February 2024 as part of a number of nationwide closures including a premises in Brodick, Arran.

North Ayrshire Cllr Tom Marshall welcomed the News that there will continue to be ATM provision although voiced disappointment about the closure.

He said: "It is important that a LINK machine is provided in the town. This is an important facility since Millport has a very large number of annual visitors during the season.

"Given their typical profile I suspect that many of them will be cash users who support the many small businesses in the town. 

"My other concern is regarding the nearest branch of the Bank of Scotland, which is in Largs.  I trust that the Bank of Scotland will not be considering closing that as I as a Bank of Scotland customer use it in a regular basis, as well as many other customers in Largs and the surrounding towns and villages. "

In his letter to Cllr Marshall,  Neil Moore, Public Affairs, Scotland and London of Lloys Banking Group, said: "The Bank of Scotland Millport branch will be closing in February 2024. However, we will provide a community banker to support our customers locally after the branch closes.

"A community banker will have set hours in a space in the local area, such as a library. They will be there to spend time with customers helping them with their banking enquiries.

"We will be setting up this new service shortly, and we are happy to provide you with further information about it. LINK – the cash machine network – also decided that a new ATM should be provided in Millport.

"We will be writing to customers to explain that the branch is closing, and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible.

"Our customers are increasingly using online, mobile and telephone banking to manage their money. We have over 20 million digital users and visits to some branches have fallen by as much as 76 per cent over the last five years.

"Fewer customers are choosing to visit our branches. Indeed, only 25 customers are using this branch on a regular monthly basis. We have to respond to this changing behaviour.

"All customers who regularly use the branch will receive a letter with details of other ways they can bank with us.

"As part of this process, we will try to speak to customers who only use the branch to explain the alternatives that will be available to them after the closure happens."

"Our colleagues who work in the branch will be offered the chance to move to a role at another branch or another part of our business."

Meanwhile, Conservative West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has raised the matter of the island bank closures in the Scottish Parliament.

Jamie Greene raised matter in Scottish Parliament (Image: Jamie Greene)

He said: "Closing Bank of Scotland branches on Cumbrae and Arran will leave older residents relying on the mainland for their banking needs.

"I have written to the Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group urging them to reverse this decision."

Speaking in Parliament, Jamie described the bank closures as 'devastating' and said: "These are actually the last remaining bank branches on Cumbrae and Arran - whilst this is disappointing news for elderly residents on islands and many businesses who operate in cash, I wonder if it has escaped the Lloyds banking group, a group that received  a £20 billion taxpayers funded bail out  many years ago, of the devastating effect these will have on island communities."

Shona Robison, The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, said; "I agree with Jamie Greene. Such services are important, particularly for those who do not have online banking facilities. Many older people are in that position. I absolutely agree with his sentiment. Banking is a United Kingdom Government responsibility, but I am happy to ask Neil Gray (Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Economy) to speak to Jamie Greene to see how cross-party representation can be arranged."