TSB has announced that its Larkhall branch is closing.
The Union Street bank will shut its doors on April 7, 2021.
An announcement from TSB reads: “We’ve looked carefully at our Larkhall branch at 72 Union Street, Larkhall, ML9 1DR and how it is used, and we’ve taken the decision to close it.
“The way customers bank with us is rapidly evolving with the vast majority of everyday transactions now being done digitally.
“Over 2.1 million of our customers now choose to bank online, and over 1.3 million use our Mobile Banking App. Even prior to COVID-19 customers were choosing other ways to bank with us, with 50% using services at our cash machines, and 20% using a Post Office.
“Over 190,000 customers have been supported through our new online chat service, helping them with queries and other services.
“67% of all our customers are now using mobile, online or telephone banking, and at this branch 81% of our personal and 85% of our business customers, now choose to use another branch or channel instead.
“We need to make sure our branches meet the current and future needs of our customers, and TSB remains committed to face to face services in branch through a network that covers the whole country. In South Lanarkshire we will still have 4 branches serving 60,806 customers.”
The statement goes onto say there are a number of other branches customers can visit, including Hamilton, which is 3.9 miles away from the closing branch in Larkhall.
Here are the closest free cash machines to the Larkhall branch.
■ Under 0.1 miles, Bank of Scotland, 39 Union Street, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ML9 1DT
■ 0.1 miles, The Co-operative, 118 Union Street, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ML9 1EF
■ 0.3 miles, Scotmid, 29 Drygate Street, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ML9 2DA
■ 0.4 miles, Home Bargains, Broomhill Drive, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ML9 1RH
■ 0.5 miles, Asda, Broomhill Drive, Larkhall, Lanarkshire, ML9 1QP
■ 0.9 miles, G101, 18 Craigbank Road, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, ML9 1Q
Closures north of the border will see around 300 redundancies.
Chief executive Debbie Crosbie said: “Closing any of our branches is never an easy decision, but our customers are banking differently, with a marked shift to digital banking.
“We are reshaping our business to transform the customer experience and set us up for the future – this means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms, enabling us to offer customers the very best experience.”
Customer banking director Robin Bulloch added: “We are working to ensure the transition towards digital is handled sensitively and pragmatically for our colleagues and customers [and] are taking steps to support vulnerable customers.”
The bank says it plans to enhance its digital services and set up partnerships including with the Post Office to deal with cash transactions.
A statement added: “TSB is making a total of 969 role reductions, while 120 new roles are being created. Where possible, role reductions will come through voluntary redundancy and TSB is implementing a comprehensive training programme to support those leaving the business find future roles.”
