Cumnock's town centre is once again facing another bank branch closure.

Only a few years after the TSB Bank in Cumnock shut, the Bank of Scotland Branch on Townhead Street will close in February 2024.

These decisions are frustrating, particularly since I know that a lot of people rely on this branch for access to cash.

The local community is hacked off by this decision. It leaves loyal customers and businesses struggling to get the services they need.

While we all understand that people increasingly use online banking these days, there is still a significant number of individuals and businesses that rely on physical branches.

We must not leave them behind.

Access to banking services is not a luxury. It is a necessity for many people.

The closure of the last branch in Cumnock will hit the elderly and vulnerable members of society the hardest.

Many older citizens rely on in-person banking services and the closure will force them to travel longer distances to access their accounts or seek extra help if they need it.

It's not right that customers in Cumnock should have to travel miles away to access their Bank of Scotland account.

For those without a car, customers will now be looking at lengthy journeys by bus, which is made all the harder with the cuts to bus services we’ve seen over the years.

On top of that, given the rising prevalence of phone and internet scams, I completely understand elderly people’s concerns and their reliance on safe in-person services.

Without a nearby bank branch, many small business owners in Cumnock will also face significant difficulties in managing their finances and depositing cash.

Towns like Cumnock need all the small businesses we can get, so it is worrying that this decision could hinder companies’ ability to grow and contribute to the local economy.

It’s clear that the closure of the last bank branch in Cumnock will have a significant effect on businesses and local residents.

These banks must start showing more respect to their customers and communities like Cumnock.

That’s why I’ve written to the Bank of Scotland to ask whether they have assessed the impact these closures will have on customers, and to ask whether they will provide any in-person services as a replacement.

If any Bank of Scotland customers in Cumnock are worried about what these closures might mean for them, please feel free to contact me and my team and I will be happy to help.