Disappointment is high as it’s emerged mobile bank van services may be kept from rural town centres as Royal Bank of Scotland branches close.
The Huntly branch disappeared this week and there are plans to shut the Turriff RBS branch in just ten days time.
Some customers and campaigners had held out a hope, albeit small, that the closures could be delayed or bank bosses persuaded to change their minds.
Those hopes have been dashed and now customers are worried because it has become clear the banking vans that are the proposed replacement for local branches may be able to park in some town centres due to parking restrictions.
Councillors for the areas have expressed their disappointment in the company and voiced concerns for elderly populations.
Huntly councillor Moira Ingleby said: “Obviously the closure of any facility in Huntly is extremely sad and it’s going to impact on the lives of a lot of people.
“I’m very disappointed that this is going to happen, especially as we are trying very hard to improve the square and retail services in the area as part of the regeneration.
“Banks are a vital part of Huntly as our demographic is mostly older people who don’t all have access to mobile or online banking.
“Everyone is disappointed and I’m saddened by the news that more are closing.”
Fellow Huntly councillor Gwyneth Petrie said it was now time for campaigners to turn their attention to improving the replacement service.
She said: “It’s unlikely that anyone is going to change their minds so I think we will have to push for a better service.
“Currently the plan for the mobile van is for it to come to Market Muir, which is outside of the town.
“There are options in the centre where they could have located it, now it’s going to be in a busy car park where people are going to have to queue with cars turning round.”
The Turriff RBS branch is due to close on June 26.
Turriff councillor Alastair Forsyth said: “Obviously I’m disappointed the bank has taken this decision after the extensive campaign to halt the closures in Aberdeenshire.
“I wish the Branch staff every success in the future and thank them for their years of dedicated service to the Turriff and District Community.
“What I wish for now is that mobile services will be strengthened so that customers will still be offered good services after the branch closes.
“The banks may be saying that its clear people are using their mobile banking but there’s still people who rely on these services.”
