BANK of Scotland is to close its Gourock branch in June – leaving the town with no banks at all.

The news was described today as a ‘real blow’ by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil.

Staff were told yesterday, and customers are being advised today.
It follows a series of Inverclyde closures by rival Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), who have shut branches in Gourock, Port Glasgow and Greenock, claiming not enough people were using them.

Bank of Scotland said they decided to close Gourock “because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us”.

A spokesman said: “This has resulted in customers using it less often. Ninety per cent of customers also now regularly use alternative branches or channels to complete their banking needs.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and we are informing customers of the closest alternative branch, which is in Greenock.”

The bank insist there will be no compulsory redundancies.

The spokesman said: “The staff from Gourock branch will all be redeployed to another branch in the surrounding area.”

Bank of Scotland have shut many branches in the past year in Paisley, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The bank’s website states that closures have been implemented because of the way branches are used by customers.

The website says: “As a result of the way customers are choosing to use our branches, sometimes it is necessary to close, relocate or even open new branches.

“We offer a number of different ways to bank with us, and, even with these closures, 90 per cent of Bank of Scotland customers will still have a usable branch within five miles of their home.”

The website adds: “When deciding to close a branch, we follow the British Bankers Association Access to Banking Protocol.”

Mr McNeil said the closure was particularly disappointing after all of the work that has been done to regenerate Gourock town centre.

He said: “A lot of investment has gone into improving traffic flow and helping to make this a viable area for businesses and visitors.

“I’m very unhappy that this decision has been taken by Bank of Scotland, following on from Royal Bank of Scotland shutting their branch in the town.”

The nearest Bank of Scotland branch to Gourock is in West Blackhall Street, Greenock.

The RBS Gourock branch was shut in June 2013, costing three jobs.