Bank of Scotland urged to ‘think again’ by SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Graham Leadbitter after announcing closure of Nairn’s last banking branch
Nairn MP Graham Leadbitter has urged the Bank of Scotland to “think again” over shock plans to close Nairn’s last bank branch.
The SNP member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey vowed to explore all options in a bid to save what he called a “vital community asset”.
Earlier today (Wednesday, September 24) the financial giant - part of the Lloyds Banking Group - announced it would close the Nairn High Street branch in January 2026.
That amounted to a huge blow to residents and businesses who rely on in-person financial services and was greeted with outrage and dismay locally.
Mr Leadbitter said: “I’m strongly urging the Bank of Scotland to think again and recommit to a future serving the people of Nairn with in-person facilities.
“I’ll work with representatives from all parties at all levels of government to explore options to save this vital community asset which cannot be allowed to close.
“When changes to service provisions come around it’s almost always at the detriment of rural communities - that isn’t acceptable or tolerable.
“This is the kind of community that needs a physical bank presence the most, and it should have one.”
Mr Leadbitter’s intervention follows “deep disappointment” expressed earlier today by SNP colleague, Nairn and Cawdor councillor Paul Oldham, who said: "(It) means that we will no longer have any banks left in the town.
"When my wife and I first moved to Nairn nine years ago there were still three banks in Nairn and we chose Bank of Scotland as our bank, so we're personally affected.
“But it's going to have a far greater impact on people, and especially the businesses, who still rely on having regular in person access to a branch.
"It also comes at a bad time given that our main post office closed its doors only a few weeks ago.
“Although there is now a branch inside Strachans, it doesn't have the capacity of the old post office and it's going to be trying to cope with more business, so I hope Bank of Scotland re-think their decision or at least come up with ways to mitigate the worst of the effects."