Labour’s Bannockburn Councillor, Margaret Brisley, has today written to local MP Stephen Kerr demanding he stand up for local communities and fight the closure of Royal Bank of Scotland branches in Bannockburn, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane.
Councillor Brisley says,
“Some of the Royal Bank’s elderly customers have loyally banked with them for half a century or more. These are the customers whose taxes bailed out the Royal Bank when the Royal Bank needed their support. I find it thoroughly disgusting that customer loyalty and support is being rewarded with the bank door slammed in their faces. As the majority shareholder, the UK Government can, and should, step in and stop this.”
The full text of Councillor Brisley’s letter can be read below:
1 December 2017
Dear Stephen
Today, residents in my ward woke to the news that the Royal Bank of Scotland is looking to close their Bannockburn branch. Residents in Bridge of Allan and Dunblane also received similar news.
This comes just days after the Bank of Scotland announced closures to branches in Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Springkerse.
Elderly residents in my ward and across Stirling who rely on face-to-face banking are being let down by banks.
Small businesses in my ward and across Stirling who deal predominantly in cash transactions are being let down by the banks.
Communities who see branches as a cornerstone of shopping precincts are being let down by the banks.
The UK Government is the majority shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland. It can put pressure on the Royal Bank to be different.
Pressure to strengthen communities, not abandon them. To reward customers for decades of loyalty to the Royal Bank with a little bit of loyalty in return. To give loyal staff much better than callous uncertainly for their futures just weeks before Christmas.
Our communities and our citizens were there for the banks in 2008 when the needed our help. Will you ask the UK Government to ensure that the Royal Bank is there for our communities when they need help now?
As the Member of Parliament for Stirling, will you meet with relevant government officials and ask them to find a way to reverse these hugely damaging closures?
Will you put pressure on the Royal Bank of Scotland to work with communities to find a way to keep these branches open?
I would be grateful for your responses soon – time is very much of the essence here.
Kind regards
Cllr Margaret Brisley
Labour Councillor for Bannockburn Ward