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Frank McNally MP has began a campaign to save Bellshill’s Bank of Scotland branch. The Coatbridge and Bellshill MP has joined forces with Scottish Labour’s Scottish Parliament candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill, Mark Griffin MSP, to campaign to stop the planned closure of the branch which is due to shut its doors for the last time in January next year. Last week, Frank met with senior representatives from the Bank of Scotland to raise his concerns directly, and spent time speaking with local businesses and residents on Bellshill Main Street while collecting signatures for a community petition to keep the branch open. Frank said the closure would deal a blow to both local people and small businesses who rely on face-to-face banking. He added: “The Bellshill branch is a vital part of our town centre. Losing it would make life harder for older residents, local traders and anyone who still depends on personal banking services. Mark Griffin and I will continue to press the Bank of Scotland to rethink these plans.” He added that the closure highlights a wider problem of banks abandoning town centres across Scotland, forcing people to travel further or move online — often at the expense of accessibility and community life. Mr McNally continued: “In person banking facilities aren’t just a vital service for multiple groups in our community, they also provide a focal point for the high street. “I will be fighting this closure and exploring the possibility of getting a banking hub for the town.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
