Bank of Scotland closed its Renfrew branch earlier this month leaving the town - with a population of around 25,000 - without a single remaining bank.

The Glasgow Times spoke to residents to find out what impact the closure has had on the town. Many voiced concerns about the difficulties now faced by older citizens and those with reduced mobility.

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Stephen Knox, 45, fears that people without technical capabilities are being left behind.

“It’s a massive issue for anybody that isn’t computer savvy,” he said. “Around here, there’s a lot of pensioners, people that are disabled, people that can’t bank online. So it’s fairly brutal for them.

“It’s disadvantaging a lot of people - people with mobility issues, and people that don’t have the tech or the know-how. And they’re not getting taught how to use it. So they’re stuck.”

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Teresa McGlauchlin, 57, is concerned about people like her mum having to travel to visit a bank branch.

“I think it’s crazy that all the banks have closed,” she said. “There’s none left in Renfrew now. I had to take my mother into Paisley. For a pensioner to have to go into Paisley, that’s not easy sometimes.

“My mum uses a walking stick. She has to physically go into Paisley and walk down the high street to get to the bank, which is not easy.

“It’s a shame. You can’t expect older people to use online banking.”

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John Hislop, 74, did not hold back in his criticism of the “nonsensical” bank closures.

“It’s bloody diabolical,” he said. “It’s a piece of s***, an absolute piece of s***. I’m not online. I feel it’s just hopeless for the likes of me - 74 years old, and I can’t draw money.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t have online banking. I’m not happy about it. It’s a piece of nonsense.”

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Mrs Burns, 63, is also worried about people who aren’t able to get to other towns to do their banking.

“I’m raging,” she said. “I signed a petition to try and stop the closure. There’s not one bank in Renfrew now.

“There’s the post office, but I liked the privacy of going into the bank - you’ve got time to put your money away, look at your statement, without looking over your shoulder to see who’s waiting in the queue.

“Honestly, it’s shocking. Not everybody can do online banking. There’s elderly people, disabled people, and they’ve to get a bus to Paisley? What if you can’t do that? You can’t expect carers to jump on a bus and go get them their money.

“It’s shocking, absolutely shocking.”

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John Hempsey, 59, noted the impact the lack of banks will have on local businesses.

“People will have to travel up to Paisley now to deposit money,” he said, “which is an inconvenience obviously.

“It’s especially difficult for older people. There’s a lot of people who don’t do online banking - some of my older neighbours for instance.

“It will be missed, not only by older residents but by local businesses. I’ve been in that bank umpteen times and there was always business owners and stall holders depositing money.”

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Mary Berry, 73, also drew attention to the problems now faced by older residents.

“Everybody in town has been talking about it, saying how terrible it is. It’s not a small town; it’s quite a big town now, and getting bigger. There used to be five banks - now there’s none.

“It has a big impact on people, because now they have to go to Paisley or Erskine. And that’s not easy to do, especially if you’re old. There are lots of older people around here who will struggle with that.”

The former Bank of Scotland building in Renfrew, with the signage now removedThe former Bank of Scotland building in Renfrew, with the signage now removed (Image: Newsquest)

The concerns of residents were echoed by Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North & West, who said she was “very disappointed” by the bank’s closure.

The MSP said she had been contacted by a large number of constituents raising concerns, particularly regarding journeys they will now be forced to make to access services, and the disproportionate impact the closures will have on elderly and disabled people.

She added that she had met with representatives from Bank of Scotland to express her disappointment, but was told that the decision was final.

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said in response: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Renfrew branch have fallen over recent years.

“Customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at Glasgow Cardonald branch, or the local Post Office on Canal Street.”