Turriff councillor laments closure of bank in town

Turriff and District councillor Alastair Forsyth has expressed his sadness that the last of the big four banks closed its doors in the town for the final time on Tuesday.

Virgin Money, formerly the Clydesdale Bank, announced earlier this year that it was closing a number of branches across the country, among them Ellon and Turriff.

Prior to being taken over by the Clydesdale Bank, the Aberdeen-based North of Scotland Bank opened a branch in Turriff in 1837 within its first year of operation.

The closure marks an end to that link stretching back 186 years.

Councillor Forsyth said: “The rise in the use of internet banking and the increasing number of cashless transactions mean that there are less and less customers having the need to visit a physical bank branch to conduct their business.

“Nevertheless, it’s a sad day for the town when an institution which can trace its links to the town back to 1837 decides to shut up shop.

"Santander retains a presence in the town’s High Street and it’s now a case of ‘use it or lose it’ for our last remaining financial institution.

“I extend my thanks to the staff at Virgin Money, both past and present, who have served the area and wish them well for the future."

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.