Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling on UK Government intervention on the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch closure in his constituency.
In his letter, Mr Crawford points out that Bannockburn Branch is a busy site with a heavy footfall of regular customers from the local community.
Mr Crawford has met with representatives from RBS about this matter and has supported the local campaign to keep the branch open – as well as raising it in the Scottish Parliament.
However, the recent announcement by RBS to keep 10 of their earmarked-for-closure branches open until at least the end of the year did not include Bannockburn Branch in Mr Crawford’s constituency of Stirling.
Commenting, Bruce Crawford said:
“The decision for RBS to retain ten of their bank branches – that were otherwise earmarked for closure – until at least the end of the year is welcome news, following sustained SNP intervention. However, I am disappointed that there are no current plans to retain Bannockburn Branch in my constituency.
“This is a busy branch with a heavy footfall from regular local customers. The loss of this branch will be a bitter blow to Bannockburn and the surrounding communities.
“For the Prime Minister to continually refer to these closures as ‘commercial decisions’ is not good enough for the communities RBS serves and the people I represent. The UK Government is a majority shareholder in RBS yet Tory Ministers have done nothing to help reverse these closures.
“This recent move from RBS has demonstrated that they are at least willing to listen. It is now time for the UK Government to show their willingness to act.”
