After announced closure of Bank of Scotland,
solutions including a Post Office are being discussed
At a meeting organised by Oliver Mundell MSP, last week with Bank representatives, Councillor Denis Male, Acting Community Council Chairperson Stuart Clement, the Langholm Alliance, and Stuart Hamilton D&G Manager for Annandale and Eskdale, further clarity was sought on the recently announced proposed Bank of Scotland Langholm Branch closure.
The two main questions to be answered “What measures are being put in place for local residents?” and “What happens to the current staff?” The second question was easier to answer, assurances that staff will not be made redundant as they are part of a wider pool of staff and will therefore be redeployed. If it is decided to move down the route of a Community Banker, one of the current members of staff may be given the opportunity to take on this community liaison role.
The original recommendation from LINK after carrying out the initial Cash Access Assessment (an independent review of cash services for the local area) was for a Community Banker, a member of the BOS team who would be housed in Langholm for one full day per week providing services including cash access (both deposits and withdrawals). However, after a second assessment was requested, the recommendation is now for ‘an Enhanced Post Office.’ The Post Office route could also pave the way to a Banking Hub. With RBS already sending a van once a week, this only strengthens the case. All options are currently being explored locally.
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