INVERCLYDE'S civic leader has hit out after it was revealed that the last bank in Port Glasgow is to close down.

The Bank of Scotland in John Wood Street, on the corner of Princes Street, will close in September, forcing customers to travel to Greenock or go online.

Bank bosses have confirmed the branch will shut on September 10, despite admitting that it gets almost 800 customers each month.

Provost Drew McKenzie, who is also a Port town trader with his butcher shop, is furious at the withdrawal.

He fears that by leaving Port Glasgow without a bank, bosses are sounding a death knell for the town centre.

Greenock Telegraph:

Councillor McKenzie said: "It is shocking leaving the size of a town like Port Glasgow without a bank. There is no loyalty from banks now.

"It's not as if it wasn't busy, there is always a queue at the bank. It is a big blow to the street and another reason for people not to come into the town."

It is understood that staff will be transferred to the Greenock branch.

Bank bosses cite the mobile banking app, internet banking and more people calling the bank than using the branch as reasons behind their decision.

Their own figures reveal that 746 customers use the branch on a monthly basis.

The overwhelming amount of people coming into the branch, 94 per cent, are personal banking customers.

The cohort using the branch most are customers aged 55-74, accounting for 36 per cent of footfall.

In a document published online the bank says money can be obtained from the Port Post Office and ATMs at Tesco and the Co-op in Dubbs Road.

They also highlight the 'nearest branches' of the bank as almost four miles away in Greenock's West Blackhall Street, or 10 miles away in Erskine.

Bank bosses also encourage customers to use the mobile banking app or internet banking as an alternative.

But this has angered Provost McKenzie, who says that these alternatives are no good to older people who want to speak to someone.

He said: "People will have to go to Greenock or go online, they don't want to speak to a robot."

Mr McKenzie is calling for a banking hub to be created where different banks could set up on different days.

He said: "It could be a hot desk idea, the Bank of Scotland could come for a couple of days, The Royal Bank of Scotland, then some other bank on another day.

"There is a mobile bank in Kilmacolm."

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

"When the branch closes in September, customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at Greenock branch, or the local Post Office on John Wood Street.”