South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth has warned that High Street bank branches could soon “disappear for good” outwith large towns in Dumfries and Galloway.

The local MSP made his comments after the last bank in the town of Dalbeattie closed its doors.  The Bank of Scotland branch closed last night, meaning local people will have to travel to Castle Douglas or Dumfries to find their nearest bank.

It is one of several closures by the Bank of Scotland across Dumfries and Galloway and follows on from the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Dalbeattie more than two years ago.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “It’s a sad day for Dalbeattie and it’s likely we will never see a high street bank in the town again. A week rarely goes by without a stream of closures being announced by one bank chain or another. This not only impacts on customers who now have to travel miles to use a bank but it is devastating for staff who face losing their jobs. As bank after bank closes, the options they have to find a job in the banking sector become more difficult. We are also seeing yet more buildings, often older ones that have been banks for many years closing, which is blighting our High Streets. It increasingly looks like bank branches will soon disappear for good out with large towns.”