Closure of Edinburgh TSB branch 'reneging on commitment'

THE TSB has been accused of reneging on a commitment to one of Edinburgh’s poorest communities with the decision to close its branch in Pilton.

TSB is to close 73 branches in Scotland next year Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

The city council unanimoulsy approved a motion tabled by council leader Adam McVey regretting the closures of TSB branches in Pilton, Gorgie and Corstorphine as part of plans to close a total of 73 branches across Scotland next year.

Cllr McVey is now to write to the bank in the strongest possible terms urging a reversal of the decision and requesting a meeting with senior TSB management to discuss the matter further.

Forth ward SNP councillor George Gordon said the Pilton branch was a vital community service.

"We lost the post office in Crewe Road and the TSB was very proactive assuring people they would be there for them and a lot of them transferred over to the bank and a lot of them are really needing that service fo drawing their pensions and paying their day-to-day bills.

"I believe the TSB is going against a previous commitment to this community.”

Corstorphine/Murrayfield Lib Dem councillor Gillian Gloyer said: “Banks and other businesses have to adapt if they are going to survive but this is a bank that only exists in its modern incarnation thanks to taxpayers rescuing its parent bank from collapse.

“It’s true fewer and fewer people set foot in their branches, but there are many other who don’t feel comfortable banking online never mind paying for goods and services with their phones. These people are the most vulnerable in our communities and it’s they who wil; suffer most when their local bank branch closes.”

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