Moray MP gets support of Defence Secretary to retain Lossiemouth bank
Moray MP Douglas Ross is urging the Bank of Scotland to reconsider its decision to close the Lossiemouth branch as the area prepares for a huge increase of personnel and their families who are expected to boost the population numbers in the Moray town.
Commenting after he welcomed Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Defence to RAF Lossiemouth today (Thursday), Douglas said: ”It is vital that we keep this branch open and I’m delighted the Secretary of State has backed my campaign to try to stop this closure.
“At both the public meeting I chaired and the one I attended, hosted by Lossiemouth Community Council, the key point people highlighted was the significant expansion at RAF Lossiemouth over the next few years.
“There is never a good time to close a bank let alone the last bank in the town, however, it seems absolutely crazy to do it at a time when Lossiemouth is clearly expanding.
“I was delighted to once again welcome the Defence Secretary to RAF Lossiemouth and felt it was a key opportunity to highlight our local campaign to save this branch. Gavin fully understands the implications of the bank closing at a time when the UK military footprint in the town is expanding. He has agreed to write to the Bank of Scotland highlighting the massive increase in personnel expected over the next few years and urging them to reconsider this decision.
“There are a number of issues at play here. Not only is this the last bank branch in Lossiemouth, but the local Post Office is also up for sale, and if both go, the local community would be left without any banking service which is clearly unacceptable.”
The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Defence said: “On my visit to Lossiemouth, Douglas immediately impressed on me the potential impact for the base and the military personnel serving here, should this proposed closure of the Bank of Scotland go ahead.
“The UK Government is making a huge investment in RAF Lossiemouth, which will see hundreds of additional military personnel and their families coming to the area which more than merits the bank staying open in Lossiemouth.
“I’ve agreed with Douglas to write to the bank supporting his calls to keep the Lossiemouth Bank of Scotland open as I can see how important it is for the town in general and the RAF base.”
