IT was the end of an era today (November 21) as the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Largs shut its doors for the final time after trading for many years in the town.
Great sadness was expressed about the move when the News interviewed customers on the last day, with many stating it is a retrograde step for local pensioners and businesses.
The bank on Main Street was due to close on October 3 despite public opposition.
Last month, owners NatWest paused closure plans as the new Financial Conduct Authority rules came into place on September 18, guaranteeing access to cash in local communities.
It was only last week confirmed that the stay of execution was not to last long and the closing date of today was revealed.
Community councillor Andy Adair, 85, said: "I think it is wrong seeing banks close. You can withdraw from the Post Office but they can't do personal stuff that you need from a bank.
"It is a major inconvenience. People rely on going in the bank and getting the personal touch. They are putting money ahead of folk.
"I don't believe internet banking is entirely safe. I tried it at the very beginning and I was scammed and lost £35,000 but I did get it back, but it left a very sour taste in the mouth, and put me off internet banking for good."
One local business manager told the News the closure will cause difficulties.
She said: "It is more to do with local businesses doing their banking and getting cash at peak time for traders.
"I do think we can use the Post Office but it is quite small in Largs, and I am not personally from Largs.
"I was really shocked at the size of the town when I visited a local school and now we only have one bank. The banking scenario we can deal with but it is more getting your cash for peak trading - it is ridiculous.
"It is making us think outside the box and we have to obviously go to surrounding areas and possibly not within key times, I might have to do that in my time off.
"We spoke to staff at RBS today on the day of closure, and the girls that work in there have been great all along."
Skelmorlie's Helen Boyle, 85, told the News that it was a very sad day.
She said: "It is so sad as we need banks in our towns and the face-to-face interaction. It is very disappointing. We are getting more and more houses built in the local area and it is not as if it is a small village.
"Banks used to be such a major part of the Main Street and it is terrible to see."
One local charity director said: "It is harder for the older generation who struggle with the new technology.
"I think that is the view of the town. Everything has moved on for people in the younger generation, but the problem now for all the shops in the town is where do they put all their money at the weekends?
"Do you want to take your money home? People still deal in cash, thousands of people do, so it is putting people at a difficulty."
And one older couple who live in Largs said they find online banking too difficult.
They said: "It is difficult for older people - we don't do online banking and we obviously need to go to a bank.
"You will have a hard job persuading us to do online banking. It is terrible when you hear local businesses saying they will have problems accessing cash."
The Royal Bank first opened a branch in 1857, situated at 22 Bath Street. In 1954, they moved to new premises at 13 Main Street.
It was in 1980 that the first cashline machine was installed at the bank, and the Largs and Millport News was there to capture the historic moment.
In 1992, an internal refurbishment was carried out to become the Royal Bank office which we are familiar with today.
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