Brexit blamed as Bank of Scotland shut five branches in Tayside and Fife

Bank of Scotland bosses are axing branches throughout Tayside and Fife.

The five latest closures are part of a wider programme of shutdowns across the bank’s network north of the border.

Letters have gone out to thousands of customers, informing them of the decision to cease trading at a total of 23 locations.

The local branches which are affected are Kinghorn, Coupar Angus, Edzell, Perth West End and Scone.

Bank of Scotland, which is part of the part-taxpayer-owned Lloyds Banking Group, has significantly reduced its branch network in recent years following the banking crash.

The company said there would be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the changes. Employees will instead be offered the chance to redeploy to roles within the group.

Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said he was “disappointed” by the announcement.

“I have pressed the Bank of Scotland to ensure none of their customers are left disadvantaged by this move,” he said.

“It is essential that the Bank ensures there is sufficient capacity elsewhere, to cater for all the needs of the customers that will be let down by this decision.”

Fellow MP Pete Wishart called on BoS to “re-examine” its decision.

He added: “Given the number of changes to branch hours, including a recent reduction to hours in Blairgowrie, I will be seeking assurances to make sure that people still have access to local banking services.”

Strathmore councilllor Dennis Melloy said the closure of branches at Coupar Angus and Scone had been “looming” for some time.

“It was only a matter of time before the axe fell again,” he said.

“Alyth lost the RBS due to closure recently and they are finding it hard to adjust and I fear Coupar Angus and Scone will go through the same loss as they have done.”

Brechin and Edzell councillor Bob Myles said: “It’s disappointing when services are taken from rural areas. I understand that more people are doing things online but some people, especially elderly people, miss the face to face contact in branch.”

Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett added: “The Brexit vote has clearly accelerated the closure of the BoS/Lloyds branch network and we are now beginning to see the dire consequences that leaving the EU will have much closer to home and on profitable companies.

“Customers in Perth and Scone will receive a poorer service and there will be an impact on both shopping centres.”

A Bank of Scotland spokesman said: “In 2014, Lloyds Banking Group announced a three-year strategy, which included a programme of planned branch closures.

“As part of this strategic review, we can confirm today that Bank of Scotland will be closing 23 branches.”

He added: “In most cases, this is as a result of falling customer demand, while in others it is because it overlaps with other nearby branches.

“These changes will not result in any compulsory job losses. We aim to redeploy everyone currently working at a closing branch to alternative Bank of Scotland branches.”

Aberdeenshire has also been badly impacted with seven branch closures at Aberdeen, Cullen, Fochabers, Portsoy, Aberlour, New Pitsligo and Macduff.