South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy recently led a Members’ Debate in the Scottish Parliament on the growing number of bank closures across the region and urged for a last-minute rethink on the closure of Moffat’s Bank of Scotland.
Mr Hoy, who is also the Scottish Conservative candidate for Dumfriesshire, said he called the debate because banks have a duty to support all customers, and that having a physical branch is essential to doing so.
In the debate Mr Hoy said: “This is the case in Moffat in Dumfriesshire, where in less than three weeks’ time the Bank of Scotland will close its doors for the last time. This leaves this vibrant tourist and retirement town without a bank, an easily accessible High Street ATM or a banking hub. The community is rightly concerned, and I commend Evelyn Atkins, who is in the public gallery with her husband Bryan today, for leading the community campaign against closure.”
Speaking after the debate Mr Hoy said: “I am pleased to have held this debate but saddened that it was needed. High street banks are a vital local resource, and their closure causes real upset and concern for communities in Dumfriesshire. Rural towns, particularly those with many older residents, feel the impact most keenly.
“I highlighted the closure of the Moffat Bank of Scotland branch and praised the excellent campaign led by local resident Evelyn Atkins. Campaigners like Evelyn show how deeply these closures are felt, and I hope bank bosses were listening and will think again.”
Mr Hoy said he recognises that banks are businesses but made it clear that the social responsibility banks have, and the trust residents put in them should contribute to banks staying on the high street.
He added: “Banks like Bank of Scotland ignore the duty they have to customers when they close and let LINK and Cash Access pick up the pieces. Banks, of course, are commercial entities, but current legislation is blunt and doesn’t leave room for special cases like Moffat, where businesses and residents have more need for a branch and ATM.
“I will always fight for access to banking and cash and hope this debate is heard by those that need to hear how important branches are.”
