CUSTOMERS of a West End bank are furious it is going to close its doors after 80 years of service to the community.

 

The Bank of Scotland has announced it plans to shut its Broomhill branch on Crow Road on May 22.

A leaflet handed out to customers suggests they use the nearest branch at Partick or use the telephone banking service.

It says: "We'll continue to provide the great service you're used to no matter which branch you choose to use.

"But please feel free to talk to one of our advisers if you'd like to know more about these changes."

However local people say the decision to close the Broomhill branch has caused "outrage" in the area.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "There has been a bank there - originally the British Linen Bank - for at least 80 years.

"The leaflet suggests using the Partick branch in Dumbarton Road where parking is nearly impossible.

"Along with the closure of Broomhill Post Office in recent years, this leaves those without cars, especially the elderly, at the mercy of public transport for financial services.

"The Broomhill branch is rarely without a small queue awaiting their turn so one wonders what criteria the bank can use for the closure.

"The operating costs must be minimal, with sometimes only one, at most two, tellers and a shared manager."

A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman said Broomhill has been included as part of an announcement about branch closures announced by Lloyds Banking Group in October last year.

The decision to shut the West End branch was made because the bank has another branch nearby which serves the local area.

The spokeswoman said: "As part of the strategic review announced in October last year, we have made the decision to close our Broomhill branch in Glasgow with effect of May 22, 2015.

"Our focus has been on urban areas where there is another Bank of Scotland branch in close proximity in order to minimise the disruption to customers.

"The nearest branch to Broomhill that customers can use is Partick, just over one mile away.

"Branches continue to play an important role for Bank of Scotland and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause."

SNP city councillor Kenny McLean, who represents Partick West, said he was aware of the concerns of local people about the branch closing.

He said: "There seems to be an increasing trend of banks not being prepared to provide local services for local people.

"The Partick branch may only be a mile away but it is not convenient for elderly people living in Broomhill so the community will be badly affected by this.

"I will be writing to the bank with my objections to the decision to close the Broomhill branch."