RBS bosses insist West Kilbride’s last bank is to close, despite an intervention by MP Patricia Gibson.

The North Ayrshire & Arran MP met with RBS management last week to discuss the proposed closure of its Main Street branch in October – but they insist the closure will go ahead.

On learning of the bank’s decision to shut the branch, Mrs Gibson reacted by claiming a promise by RBS not to close the village’s last bank had been broken.

Mrs Gibson said: “It is a source of great disappointment that RBS has decided that this closure will definitely go ahead, despite local opposition and a previous undertaking by RBS not to close any branch if it was the ‘last bank in town’.” RBS blames the closure on a fall in the number of customers using the branch in person and the growth of online banking.

Mrs Gibson says she pressed the bank to continue its commitment to West Kilbride and local businesses in the town and voiced her concerns about the mobile bank that will replace the bricks and mortar branch.

“I requested that the mobile banking to be put in place is monitored and sought assurances that this service will be sufficient to meet the needs of the community.

“Understandably, there is ongoing concern at the lack of clarity as to where this mobile banking facility will be situated, since there is no obvious location that is available and suitably accessible for customers.

“Whilst there will be no compulsory redundancies at the branch, the positive relationships which staff have built up with the local community over years may be sacrificed by this closure, as staff are very likely to be deployed elsewhere.

“There were some positive developments from our meeting and I am pleased to have persuaded RBS not to remove West Kilbride’s ATM and there is now an agreement to retain and maintain this facility.

“Furthermore I asked the bank to hold a business fayre in West Kilbride to show RBS’ continuing support for the town and local and new businesses and business opportunities.

“It is important that all current and potential business in West Kilbride can access any and all support RBS can provide, even though it is determined to close its local branch.

“Discussions on the details are ongoing and I will keep constituents informed as these proposals progress in the weeks ahead.

“I also persuaded the bank to meet some local business leaders in West Kilbride to address concerns about future access to banking services in support of their endeavours.”