Four Bank of Scotland branches in the Lothians to be axed

Four Bank of Scotland branches are to close.

Bosses at the company have confirmed that branches in Goldenacre and North Morningside in Edinburgh, and in Gorebridge and Gullane, will be axed.

They said the proposed closures were due to “reduced or low levels of demand” and, in some cases, “because of a local overlap of branches”.

Lothian Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs and Scottish Conservative Councillor Nick Cook have expressed concern at the news that North Morningside’s Bank of Scotland branch is to close.

Mr Briggs said: “While I understand that all banks are looking to reduce the number of local branches in response to the increase in online banking, I share the concern of constituents in and around Morningside at the proposed closure of what locals feel is a busy branch on Morningside Road which has served the community well for many years.

“In particular, many pensioners in the area who are Bank of Scotland customers and who do not use online banking are anxious that they will be inconvenienced by this closure and by consequently having to go make journeys to other branches further away from their homes.

“I will be raising constituents concerns directly with Lloyds Banking Group and asking them to address them and justify to local people why they are recommending the North Morningside branch is closed.”

Councillor Nick Cook said: “This is a disappointing move from the Bank of Scotland. Many local people – particularly our elderly residents – continue to rely upon bricks and mortar branches and they will be amongst the worst affected by this closure.”

A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we will be closing 24 Bank of Scotland branches [across Scotland] between July and October this year.

“All of the closures announced are due to reduced or low levels of demand, and in some cases because of a local overlap of branches. We apologise for any inconvenience that these changes may cause, and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch.

“We will be introducing more mobile branch services to support customers in some of our more rural and semi-rural communities, alongside other ways to bank locally. Three new routes covering the Castle Douglas, Borders and Allness & Tain areas will stop at 16 of the 24 closing Bank of Scotland branch locations, offer services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.

“We remain committed to our Bank of Scotland branch network and branches will continue to play an important role in our multi-channel approach to meeting customer needs; at the same time we are investing heavily in digital and mobile to give our customers choice.”

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