TSB to reduce hours at Wick and Thurso bank branches
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THE decision by TSB to reduce opening hours at its branches in Thurso and Wick from mid-July was described yesterday as being of "serious concern" to the business and wider community.
The comment was made by Trudy Morris, chief executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, after the bank confirmed it is cutting the days the Wick branch opens from five to three. Its Thurso branch will be cut from five to four days.
The move is being introduced by TSB as its customer numbers have been "decreasing year on year" due to changing banking habits. Reducing the days the Caithness branches are open will help make the business more cost-effective, according to the bank, although it said staff will be unaffected by the changes. It is understood they will move between the branches as required.
The decision means the Thurso TSB will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays while the Wick branch will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Stuart Gray, TSB's area director for the Highlands and Islands, said: "Our customers use banking services in different ways and that is why we try to adapt our offer to deliver them the best possible service however they choose to bank. This means investment in both branches and digital channels.
"With fewer people using our Thurso and Wick branches, we are reducing the number of hours they are open. If a customer needs to access a TSB branch during a time they are closed, customers have access to our digital and telephone banking services and can complete many personal banking tasks at the local post office. Our TSB partners will be working with our customers to support them as we make this change."
The bank says it is reducing the opening hours at its Caithness branches rather than closing them. "We’re determined to use strategies such as this to reduce our costs, so we can retain a High Street presence for those people who need it most, especially in places from which other banks have already pulled out," Mr Gray said.
"We’ve looked hard at how we can maintain a High Street presence, but in a more cost-effective way. Opening on fewer days helps us to do this."
Ms Morris is worried about the plan. "Any move by TSB to reduce opening hours at its branches in Thurso and Wick would be of serious concern to us," she said. "Access to banking facilities is important for businesses and the community as a whole, particularly in remote and rural areas such as the north Highlands.
"Despite moves towards digital banking and card payments, cash remains an important part of the rural economy, and any loss of access to banking services will restrict efforts to strengthen and grow our economy. We hope TSB will consult closely with the affected communities before making any moves to change opening hours."
