Home > News >

No job losses at Bo’ness bank as RBS defends closure

by Rebecca Garrett 26 January

No jobs will be lost when the RBS branch in Bo’ness closes according to a bank spokesman.

Last week, s1bo’ness reported on RBS ‘ announcement that it would be shutting the Hope Street bank, on Thursday, April 12 2012.

This would mean that customers would have to travel to towns such as Linlithgow to get to their nearest branch.

However, a spokesman for RBS has defended the closure and has said that workers at the local bank are safe.

He said: “The branch only opens 15 hours per week at the moment and no jobs will be lost - staff will be moved to other branches in the area.

"Closing a branch is not a decision we take lightly, however demand for our service at Bo'ness is very low.

“Many customers are now choosing alternative ways of banking, such as 24-hour online and telephone services and our Smartphone banking app.

“The nearest branch is Linlithgow and customers can also access their money at any local Post Office.

“There are also 50 ATMS within around 4 miles."

However, a local customer of the Bo’ness bank has revealed that he will have to travel even further afield than Linlithgow.

The source received a letter from RBS notifying him that his account holding branch will be in Grangemouth.

He said: “This is most unfortunate and inconsiderate, especially for those local businesses and individuals who have no desire or are unable to conduct their transactions by digital or telephone banking as suggested.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Bo'ness Community Council said that she will be sending a letter to the bank and the council will be discussing the closure at their next meeting.

We will keep you updated here at s1bo'ness on any further developments.

Will you be affected by the RBS Bo’ness branch closure? If so, let us know here at s1bo’ness.


27 January | 9:50:57

Derek Smillie says

Phew NO job losses. Well that's something to be cheery about. Why don't we all give a big clap for the RBS boss who is apparently picking up a £1m bonus for his outstanding work in 2011 along with his fat salary. This country is just gonna keep spinning if this situation isn't sorted seeing as it was the banks fault in the first place. Why don't they publish what he has actually done in 2011 and we can be the judge of his fat bonus seeing as we the tax payers own a good chunk of RBS anyway.

27 January | 10:31:20

Adrian Mahoney says

I think the "low demand" for RBS's services in Bo'ness might be down to the low number of hours the branch is open. I really hope the Bank reconsiders its position, but fear it will not. In a week when we learn of the obscene bonus being paying to the bank's chief executive, we see that ordinary customers are on the ones to suffer. These are the same customers - or taxpayers - who helped bail out RBS. This branch closure will hurt small businesses in the town and local folk, particularly those without cars, who bank with RBS. For some pensioners a "smartphone app" won't help. If the bank wants to save money, I'd suggest cutting some of its very large corporate sponsorship deals or all those expensive and annoying TV ads, that tell us RBS is "Here for You". Actually, the public were here for them - and this is how they are repaid.

COUNCILLOR ADRIAN MAHONEY

27 January | 11:57:51

kevin trotter says

We will all be affected by this closure. As a retailer in the town I fear this will give the local population one more reason not to use their local town, and the less the town is used the more shops will close.

Have your say...

Add your own comment

Add

You need to be logged in to add news & pictures. If you haven't already, it's quick & easy to Sign up.

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with. If you have forgotten your password we can send you a reminder.

Sign In
  4. Forgotten Password?

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with.

Password reminder

  1. If you have forgotten your password, simply enter the email address associated with your account below and we will send you a link to reset it.

    Please note for security reasons the link will expire within 1 hour. After that you will need to request another link.

  4. <<Return to Login

Your sign in details have been retrieved and an email is on its way to you!

<<Return to Login

Contribute

  1. By posting on s1boness you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy. Your email address won’t be displayed to the public.

  1. Here's your chance to make sure your contribution is exactly as you'd like it.

  3. Your photos will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your photos and video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

  4. By clicking 'send it' you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy.

Tell everyone your news

If it’s topical in Bo'ness, this is the place for it.

Remember that news doesn't just mean crime and politics – a golden wedding, a new baby, or a personal achievement are news to any community.

Add

You need to be logged in to add news & pictures. If you haven't already, it's quick & easy to Sign up.

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with. If you have forgotten your password we can send you a reminder.

Sign In
  4. Forgotten Password?

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with.

Password reminder

  1. If you have forgotten your password, simply enter the email address associated with your account below and we will send you a link to reset it.

    Please note for security reasons the link will expire within 1 hour. After that you will need to request another link.

  4. <<Return to Login

Your sign in details have been retrieved and an email is on its way to you!

<<Return to Login

Contribute

  1. Please make sure what you’re adding is news. If it's an event, you must also add it to our What's On section before it'll be allowed here. History and advertising have their own sections, too.

    Posting Tips

  4. If your contribution is about a specific location, please enter the nearest postcode (if known)

  1. Here's your chance to make sure your contribution is exactly as you'd like it.

  3. Your photos will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your photos and video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

  4. By clicking 'send it' you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy.

In the News

Want a site like this for your community? Suggest a new location
© Herald & Times Group. All rights reserved.
Contact us | Terms of use | Privacy policy | Newsquest Media Group