Residents in Melrose have 3 months to save the last bank in town as RBS has today announced who will decide its fate.
Johnston Carmichael, Scotland’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, will carry out the review into Melrose branch, which is earmarked for closure at the end of the year.
The firm will review how much Melrose and the other 9 branches across Scotland, which were also given a temporary reprieve, are being used. The review will also consider feedback from local customers, local representatives and other groups.
The review is set to conclude in September and RBS have agreed to implement whatever is recommended by Johnston Carmichael “in full.”
Local MP John Lamont has said the fight to retain the branch in Melrose begins in earnest and is urging local residents, businesses and other organisations to make their feelings clear.
John Lamont MP, said: “It’s been hugely disappointing to see the RBS signs coming down across the Borders over the past few weeks, but there remains a chance that Melrose can be saved.
“The Royal Bank have taken their time to get this review going and there is now a really short window to change the bank’s mind.
“I’ll be meeting with Johnston Carmichael shortly and will be making it very clear that the Melrose branch is a busy and important service for the town and must be retained. I’ll also be pointing out over a hundred local residents turned up to my public meeting to oppose the branch closure and many more have signed my petition.
“Details about how you can take part in the review will be announced shortly, but in the meantime I’d encourage anyone who opposed the closure of the Melrose branch to get in touch with my office and, crucially, to make sure you use the branch in the next few months."