By Lauren Cameron

Copyright inverness-courier

Nairn is set to lose its final bank branch, delivering a heavy blow to residents and businesses who rely on in-person financial services.

The Bank of Scotland branch on Nairn High Street is understood to be earmarked for closure on January 20, leaving the town without any banks. This follows a wider trend across Scotland, where many branches have been closing as institutions shift customers toward online and mobile banking.

Councillor Paul Oldham says he is “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

“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,” he said. “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.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the town’s main post office closed its doors.

Cllr Oldham added: “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.”

He says he plans to meet with MP Graham Leadbitter plan to meet with bank management in the coming days to discuss whether the closure can be reconsidered or if measures can be introduced “to mitigate the worst of the effects.”

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