10 RBS branches avoid branch axe - for now - including Beauly
RBS relents following plans to close 62 branches - including some in remote and rural areas
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has given 10 branches, previously listed for closure, a stay of execution until - at least the end of the year.
The bank said it had "listened to the concerns of customers'' and would now keep the branches open for the time being. RBS made the announcement after having talks with SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford on the issue.
State-owned RBS had planned to shut 62 of its branches in Scotland, but now Beauly is among those that are in the list of those spared - along with banks in Biggar, Castlebay/Barra, Comrie, Douglas, Gretna, Inveraray, Melrose, Kyle and Tongue which will all stay open until the end of 2018.
An independent review carried out into whether they are still viable, but speaking to MFR News, the Ross-shire MP Ian Blackford said, "I have obtained from them usage numbers in my own constituency, so for example in Beauly there are 29,000 transactions a year. It's not the case that these branches are not being used. They are being used and they're essential to the sustainability of many rural economies"