Uddingston’s parliamentarians have hit out at the forthcoming closure of the town’s Bank of Scotland branch, calling the news “devastating” and “a huge blow”.
The Main Street branch will shut in May as part of a UK-wide series of closures, with figures released by the bank indicating that both personal and business transactions there have halved in the past five years.
Labour’s Michael Shanks MP, whose Rutherglen constituency includes the area, has taken action by writing to parent company Lloyds Banking Group opposing the loss of the area’s last local branch, while Stephanie Callaghan, the Uddingston & Bellshill SNP MSP, is asking that they “reconsider their decision”.
Mr Shanks told Lanarkshire Live: “This is devastating news for the community and means there is no bank branch in Uddingston or Bothwell. We know there is an ongoing trend of the closure of banking services across many communities, with the constituency already seeing a decline of branches.
“I’m concerned by the implications this has for residents who may need specialist banking support. In an era of more sophisticated banking scams and financial hardship, we need to be looking at ways to improve financial support rather than withdraw.”
He added: “I have written to Bank of Scotland opposing the closure and outlining my concern for good banking support in Uddingston and Bothwell, and will work alongside the community for fight for access to banking services in the community.”
Uddingston constituency colleague Ms Callaghan says local businesses have expressed concerns about the loss of the local branch, and that “it’s not clear how the banking needs of people living in poverty, older people, and those who struggle to access public transport will be met”.
Customers will be redirected to the nearest branches at Hamilton and Bellshill after the closure on May 22, and the area’s MSP told Lanarkshire Live: “The closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Uddingston is a huge blow, leaving many people without access to local banking services – not everyone can use digital banking or access internet services, with many still relying on face-to-face banking.
“Being forced to travel to Bellshill or Hamilton for essential banking will have big implications. For some residents it’s just not doable, while others are worried about public transport or suitable parking, whether they can afford the costs, and the time it takes to make a round trip is another concern.
“This decision is yet another pressure for loyal customers during a cost of living crisis, and those already hit the hardest will struggle most. Banks provide vital financial support and this decision fails those who need it most.”
She is encouraging affected customers to contact her office, and said: “My SNP colleagues and I are working together to strongly urge Lloyds Banking Group to reconsider their decision.
“Bank of Scotland customers deserve to know how their needs were considered during the decision-making process. They also deserve to understand how Lloyds assessed the impacts on customers, and what steps the group will be taking to support them through any closure. I will also plan to seek assurances that no vulnerable customers will be left behind.”
Bank officials say a majority of customers are now using app and online banking, with the Uddingston branch review showing that a total of 672 customers had made transactions at the branch in four of the six months up to July 2024, 84 per cent of whom had also used phone, internet or other branch banking in the same period.
A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “Alongside our apps, customers can also use telephone banking, visit a community banker or use any Bank of Scotland, Lloyds or Halifax branch. Customers can also do their everyday banking at over 11,000 branches of the Post Office or in a banking hub.
“Branch locations announced for closure have alternative options for accessing cash nearby, such as a Post Office, or free-to-use ATM. All colleagues who work at these branches will be offered a role at another branch or in another part of our business.”
* Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!