For immediate release

MSP for Rutherglen Constituency, Clare Haughey has expressed her anger and frustration at the news that it has been confirmed that the Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Rutherglen Main Street is to close in November. 

Originally, the branch was due to close in September, but two weeks beforehand it was announced that the closure was to be delayed so that a review could take place, in the light of new legislation aimed to protect access to cash in communities.

At the time, local customers hoped that RBS might reconsider their decision in the light of overwhelming public opinion against the proposal expressed since the first announcement.  This was not the case, and at the end of September it was confirmed the closure would go ahead.  It has now been confirmed that the branch will close on Tuesday 19^th November.

Commenting, Clare Haughey said;

“I originally met with representatives of the bank in April, urging them to reconsider and remain open, but sadly they said a decision had been made.  

“When they then announced the closure would be postponed, I once again called on them to commit their future to Rutherglen – expressing again the strength of feeling against this closure

“I have already had a string of residents contact me to express how angry they are about this final decision, rightly asking how a review could have possibly concluded ‘access to cash’ was protected in the context of the RBS’ series of branch closures in Blantyre, Burnside, Cambuslang and now Rutherglen   

“This confirmation from RBS is a disgrace – they’ve continually let down their customers in this constituency.”

ENDS