MP and Councillors Meet with Virgin Money over Ellon Branch Closure
>> 28 July 2023
Gordon MP Richard Thomson has met with senior managers at Virgin Money to discuss the closure announcements made by the bank at its Ellon and Turriff Branches.
The Ellon Branch has been a fixture in the town since 1877 and occupies a prominent site in the centre of town and Turriff Branch, while outside Gordon Constituency, serves a number of Gordon customers, particularly since other surrounding bank branches have closed in recent years.
“The closure announcements are obviously a blow to the communities concerned, and I was keen to explore with the bank what options had been considered prior to their announcement.
“Chief among these was the practice adopted by Santander and Nationwide of maintaining a branch presence but reducing the counter opening hours and having staff assist with call centre queries and internet banking whilst based at the branch.
“I am also seeking an assurance about ATM provision in Ellon. While there are – currently – a number of free-to-use ATMs around the town, there is only one located in the town centre. Most of these are provided by US-based private companies, and there has been an alarming trend recently for other providers to introduce charges for withdrawing cash. Free cash withdrawals are important and would be greatly protected if Virgin Money could commit to maintaining an ATM in the town centre.”
“Chief among these was the practice adopted by Santander and Nationwide of maintaining a branch presence but reducing the counter opening hours and having staff assist with call centre queries and internet banking whilst based at the branch.
“I am also seeking an assurance about ATM provision in Ellon. While there are – currently – a number of free-to-use ATMs around the town, there is only one located in the town centre. Most of these are provided by US-based private companies, and there has been an alarming trend recently for other providers to introduce charges for withdrawing cash. Free cash withdrawals are important and would be greatly protected if Virgin Money could commit to maintaining an ATM in the town centre.”
Cllr Louise McAllister (SNP-Ellon and District) added:
“It’s so disappointing that the Ellon Branch has been earmarked for closure and a lot of customers will be inconvenienced by the move, whilst recognising that many have moved their banking online, which is part of the reason for the decline in branch usage.
“I was keen to explore the support offered by Virgin Money with introductions, in person, to the Post Office if desired and the three digital education sessions scheduled to take place over the next few months. I look forward to being able to share the timetable for this as it unfolds.
“I’m grateful to my colleague Richard Thomson MP for arranging this meeting and pressing the case for retention of a free-to-use cash machine in the town centre, and he has my full support in this.”
“I was keen to explore the support offered by Virgin Money with introductions, in person, to the Post Office if desired and the three digital education sessions scheduled to take place over the next few months. I look forward to being able to share the timetable for this as it unfolds.
“I’m grateful to my colleague Richard Thomson MP for arranging this meeting and pressing the case for retention of a free-to-use cash machine in the town centre, and he has my full support in this.”
Cllr Jenny Nicol (SNP-Mid Formartine) said:
“If these closures go ahead, then ensuring people know how they can access banking services at their Post Office will be vital. As someone who used to run a Post Office, I know that a lot of customers didn’t know how to access banking services there until after their bank had closed, and I was pleased to get an assurance from Virgin Money that they took this point on board.”
