Dingwall Royal Bank of Scotland prepares to close doors for last time as company pulls out of Ross-shire's county town
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A BANK situated in the heart of Ross-shire's county town will close its doors for the final time this afternoon.
When the Royal Bank of Scotland announced it was to close its Dingwall branch on November 1 back in July, it was described as "another nail in the coffin" for the town by one angry councillor.
It's understood the one employee of the High Street branch has given over 40 years of service to the branch.
When it made the announcement, parent company NatWest cited changing customer trends towards online banking and claimed on average it sees just FOUR personal banking customers regularly in branch each week.
The branch was used by 131 business customers on a regular basis in 2022, according to its figures.
The National Federation of Subpostmasters (NHSP) meanwhile said that while the closure "will doutbless be disappointing to RBS customers in Dingwall", alternative banking arrangements can be found nearby.
These include post office branches at 40 High Street, Dingwall; The Square in Strathpeffer and Great North Road, Muir of Ord.
It said that each of these branches offers banking services including deposits, free cash withdrawals and balance checks as well as face-to-face access to government services, bill payment, foreign currency, travel insurance and postal services.
See also: Dingwall rallying call over 'deeply disappointing' RBS closure decision
"As a local councillor I am disappointed that the Royal Bank of Scotland has taken the financial decision to close the Dingwall branch this November. I would like to thank all the staff who have served their customers diligently over the years for their excellent customer service , and I hope they are all able to find employment within the RBS group. The staff over the years have done a great deal to support local charities and have raised much needed funds in their own time. You will all be missed!" - Councillor Angela MacLean at the time the closure was announced
The NFSP said: "Post offices are proving vital to retaining individual and business access to cash as the banks continue to desert the high street in order to cut costs and increase their profits. Every post office plays a vital role within the heart of the local community. Post offices provide a reliable and essential service which has continued a high standard across the whole of the UK throughout the pandemic."
A NatWest spokesperson said earlier this year: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.
“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.
“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”
On staff impact, the bank said: "Where possible, we will seek to manage redundancies on a voluntary basis but where this is not possible, we will support colleagues through our extensive redeployment support resources."
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Angela MacLean, who used to work with the RBS in the Dingwall branch, said at the time the closure was announced, that the staff there have always provided an excellent service to the town.
She said: "I was sad to receive an email yesterday from Erin Campbell, the RBS local director for the Highlands and Islands, based in the Oban branch. Erin assures me that the RBS cares about helping their customers through this branch closure, and that many customers prefer digital banking as it makes life easier – easier for whom?
"The helpline number customers are asked to phone is for over 60s or those in a period of extended isolation only. There is information you will need to provide when you phone, which if you are not already a user of online banking, may be challenging for some. The footfall has dramatically reduced over the past few years and if customers wish to visit a branch the nearest one is in Alness almost 10.55 miles away. The RBS have arrangements with the Post Office for those who don’t have transport.
"As a local councillor I am disappointed that the Royal Bank of Scotland has taken the financial decision to close the Dingwall branch this November. I would like to thank all the staff who have served their customers diligently over the years for their excellent customer service , and I hope they are all able to find employment within the RBS group. The staff over the years have done a great deal to support local charities and have raised much needed funds in their own time. You will all be missed!
"This is another prominent bank that has decided to leave Dingwall and centralise their assets, leaving the town with one bank and a post office. It is important that Dingwall is able to encourage new business to come to the town and for us as a community to support those businesses that are already here by shopping locally."
