Commenting on the announcement that the opening hours at the TSB Bank Branch in Castle Douglas will reduce from the end of July this year, South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said,

“The significant reduction in opening hours at TSB in Castle Douglas is another blow to the Town Centre. Bank branches are a lifeline for many local residents and businesses, many of whom will struggle or not be able to travel nearly twenty miles to the next closest branch in Dumfries.

TSB have said that customer usage at the branch has reduced by 3% over the last year but are responding by implementing a 60% cut in opening hours which is totally disproportionate. I will be urging TSB to urgently reconsider this decision as many people will rightly fear this is the tip of the iceberg and the first step towards eventual closure.”