Closure of Larkhall's last bank 'will hit vulnerable hardest'

The planned closure of a Lanarkshire bank has prompted protest from local residents who have branded it “one of the worst decisions” made in the town.

The Bank of Scotland in Larkhall’s Union Street, which has served the community for over 50 years, is set to shut its doors on January 8.

Hundreds are calling for an independent review into the decision, raising concerns over transport and digital access.

Larkhall Plan Partnership chairperson Nancy Barr said the move will hit older and vulnerable people.

‘It’ll have a huge impact’

She told STV News: “It will leave us with no bank in the town and only one cash machine at one end of the main street.

“It’s very easy just to sit back and let it happen, but sometimes it’s important to make a fuss about it and let people making the decision know this has a huge impact.

“The community is living with that – it has split them a little this year. All of a sudden, pulling the plug is unfair.

“Local people have supported this bank over many years, and they’re just going to shut the door on them. The whole community is going to be impacted by this. That needs further discussion.”

Nancy said older people say they feel they are being “forced” to bank digitally.

“Folks are telling me they want to speak to someone face-to-face and have support, not a phone call. Some feel anxious, they don’t have the skills to do online banking, other people choose not to.

“What happened to ‘the customer is always right?'”

‘Not everybody is capable of going online’

The branch is one of 13 Bank of Scotland branches across the country which will close in 2026, along with the Bellshill branch.

Customers are now being directed to branches at Hamilton and Motherwell or to banking hubs in Carluke and Cambuslang.

Locals dispute claims that they can easily access services, stating that the nearest alternative bank branch is further than a 15-minute journey for many.

“Maybe if it’s ‘as the crow flies’,” Nancy added. “But if you don’t have a car or live outwith Larkhall in Strathaven, Stonehouse, Netherburn – it’s certainly not 15 minutes to the Hamilton bank.”

Sandra MacLachlan has lived in Larkhall for 53 years.

“This is a great community. They have no respect for the public here and it should not be closing.

“Not everybody is capable of going online. People need to go in and speak to someone – it’s just not on.”

‘One of the worst decisions’

Businesses in the area fear the fall-out too.

Gail McCallum, who owns Ellie’s Boutique in Larkhall’s Main Street described the closure a “disaster” for the area.

She says many people visit her shop after using the bank.

She also says that the free-to-use ATM is constantly queued and routinely suffers from cash shortages.

“Larkhall’s got a fabulous main street – everything for everybody. This is one of the worst decisions ever made [in the town].

“We rely on the bank for footfall. Customers being at the bank, doing business, coming in and doing a bit of shopping.

“For older people, it’s probably the only conversation they’ll have throughout the week. Are they going to wander and do a bit of shopping? It’ll have a big impact.”

Hairdresser Adele Fleming, who has run Adele’s Hair Company for 30 years and relies on cash-only transactions, says the closure will hit both businesses and residents.

“It’s going to be a big loss for Larkhall – such a thriving community,” she said.

“A lot of our customers use the bank. They go over to make sure everything’s okay.

“Two [ATMs] in the whole town is not going to be enough. I think it’s really sad. A lot of people really angry about it.”

The Bank of Scotland said an access-to-cash assessment was carried out by ATM network LINK before the decision was made to close the branch.

They said customers who prefer to bank in-person can use the nearby Post Office in Larkhall and the nearest free-to-use ATM is accessible at the nearby Co-Op.

South Lanarkshire Council said it formally opposes the closure and is calling on the Bank of Scotland to pause plans.

A statement read: “This Council notes with deep concern the planned closure of the Bank of Scotland Larkhall branch, the last remaining bank serving Larkhall, Ashgill, Netherburn, Stonehouse and other surrounding rural communities.

“The council recognises the significant social, economic, digital, transport, and wellbeing impacts that this closure will have on local residents and businesses, particularly those who are elderly, vulnerable, digitally excluded, or living in areas with some of the worst access deprivation in Scotland.”

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson: “The way people are banking has changed, as many customers are managing their money through our app. We’re providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience, with our people.

“Alongside our app, customers can visit a Banking Hub or the Post Office for their everyday banking and deposit cash at over 3,000 PayPoint locations across Scotland.”