A petition, which was launched by north-east business owners to block the closure of a bank, has been backed by their MSP.
Turriff Business Association (TBA) started the petition last week to try to convince the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to keep open its town’s branch after it was earmarked for closure.
Former RBS employee, councillor Alistair Forsyth has already backed the campaign and now the group has been buoyed by local MSP Gillian Martin who yesterday met with TBA’s chairwoman, Marj Chalmers.
Her group is made up of about 60 businesses from different sectors within the community.
And Ms Chalmers has previously claimed that the branch’s closure will affect footfall in the town.
Last night, Ms Martin said: “I understand the concerns of the Turriff Business Association on what this could do to footfall in the town.
“Those who have to travel further into the city to do their banking are more likely to use that time to purchase goods and other bits of shopping.
“Rural areas have been victim to multiple banking closures and for many of our elderly residents who might not have access to online banking, this is going to make it even more difficult.
“The businesses in Turriff have been clear – this is not something they want and it’s going to have an adverse effect on their trade.”
The proposed closure of Turriff’s RBS comes after it was saved by the taxpayer in 2008.
Earlier this month, the bank announced it would be closing up to 62 branches throughout Scotland as customers make the move to online banking alternatives.
Ms Chalmers is hopeful her group’s petition will convince the bank to perform a U-turn.
“I am hoping it does make a difference, but if they have got a date set I don’t know if we will be able to change it,” she said.
“It is a thriving farming community and a lot of people here depend on the bank.
“I think there will be a real impact on the town, we don’t want the footfall to be affected and businesses closing.”