Dunfermline reacts as Bank of Scotland to close branch

The organisation confirmed that the Bothwell Street branch will shut its doors on January 21 next year amid the latest round of closures.

The branch on East Port in the city centre will remain open.

The Bank of Scotland said the announcement follows a look into how their customers are managing their money and using the branch.

"Most customers are now using our Mobile Banking app, Internet Banking or calling us instead," they stated.

READ MORE: Bank of Scotland announces plans to close Dunfermline branch

The news has not gone down well with Press readers with over 100 of you taking to our Facebook page to express their anger over the impending closure.

"What the hell. Our money they want but our wellbeing they don't care about - disgusting behaviour!

"Shame on you, Bank Of Scotland," was Johanne Thomson Bakke's reaction.

Craig Fife said: "Would have been better closing East Port. This one has parking and a bus stop at the door. East Port has neither."

The Bank of Scotland branch in Dunfermline's Bothwell Street will close early next year. (Image: Newsquest)

One of the branch's customers, going under the name of Victor Meldrew, was also unhappy.

"I use that bank every week to deposit cash, what happens to people like me when the banks have all gone? It is all well and good using online banking but you can't deposit cash online."

Sandra Gibson added: "I am not happy. I have severe Osteoarthritis and this has been my bank for many years. The car park gives easy access to people with mobility issues. Going up to East Port is not an option for people with physical disabilities as there is no parking available outside the branch. As usual, this is to cut costs at the expense of loyal customers. Very disappointing."

"Absolute joke! Dunfermline is a city, yet everything closing," was Kristiane Ogilvie's view.

Scott Reid, meanwhile, commented: "Closing the branch that has a large convenient car park and large catchment? Makes sense. Not. Definitely ain't going to be converted into a coffee shop. Or anything, I suspect."

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Emma McFerrin Petch Ridgway added: "Not good for people with disabilities! Stop forcing people to go online!"

Angus Clarke stated: "Another ploy to accelerate a cashless society. Don't moan about it when it happens because we will all suffer. I boycott anywhere that doesn't accept cash. Plus, I'm changing my bank of Scotland account to Nationwide as there's a £200 reward for switching accounts. A no brainer really."

Kathy Lynch will miss the Bothwell Street facility.

"I love going into bank to speak to staff and take money out it's not fair," she said.

Brian Fraser added; "If people want to keep banks they need to use them. Ditto pubs, cinemas etc."

Figures released by the Bank of Scotland have revealed that the Bothwell branch currently has 1,052 regular personal account customers.

From these, three per cent are under 18, 18 per cent are aged 18-34, 37 per cent are 35 to 54, 29 per cent are 55 to 74 and 13 per cent are over 75.

A total of 91 per cent of people using the branch are personal customers with the remaining nine per cent business customers.

In 2024, there were 38 per cent less personal customer transactions at the branch compared to in 2019 while business customer transactions fell by 25 per cent in the same period.