IT’S the end of an era for residents in West Linton as the village’s only bank closed this week.

Staff from the Bank of Scotland branch on Main Street closed the doors for the last time on Tuesday after customer numbers dwindled due to the rising popularity of online banking. 

The Peeblesshire News understands that the number of counter transactions made by personal customers using the branch had decreased last year by 14 per cent.

Customers of the branch will now have their accounts moved to the nearest branch in Penicuik, around nine miles away.

Those who require face-to-face services now have to travel there, or make a 13-mile journey to Peebles.

The removal of the outside ATM machine also means that customers will have to use the PayPoint within the nearby Co-op and or withdraw money at the village Post Office.

The Bank of the Scotland said: “The branch closed due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch, which is Penicuik.”

Until its closure, the branch had 75 regular personal and business customers – 67 would visit on a monthly basis and eight would pop in weekly.

Tweeddale West Councillor Eric Small said: “The closure of the Bank Of Scotland in West Linton is going to have a massive impact to all who live within the area, especially the elderly who have depended on this service for well over 100 years.

“The removal of the ATM will have a massive impact on the public having access to their money.

“The local Post Office is available for cash withdrawals and pay in services for most high street banks but this will only be available during their hours of operation.”

With the lack of an ATM machine in the village, Calum Greenhow, sub-postmaster, from the nearby Post Office is looking to have one installed for locals. 

He told us: “It’s a shame that the service is being lost to the community and as such I’m trying to have it restored. However, there are two issues I need to overcome before I can do so.

“The current ATM doesn’t do sufficient transactions per week to justify a third party installing an external ATM, plus in Scotland ATMs attract separate rate charges, which are not insignificant. 

“That being said, I continue to try to source one but in the meantime, you can access free cash withdrawals from the Post Office, where it’s warm and dry.”