Community steps up campaign with 1 month until closure
Local politicians put aside party politics today to unite behind Sandyhills Community Council and Shettleston & Tollcross Credit Union’s campaign to save RBS Shettleston branch.
RBS announced have their plans to close the local branch on 20th June. The news came just one day after RBS closed its Bridgeton branch in March this year. The campaign team from the East End stepped up the fight by handing in a petition, signed by hundreds, to RBS HQ in Gogarburn.
Joe Reilly (Chair of Shettleston and Tollcross Credit Union) and Pat McDonagh (Chair of Sandyhills Community Council) were joined by Councillors Anne Simpson and Frank McAveety as well as local MSP, John Mason.
Speaking from Gogarburn, the SNP’s John Mason MSP said:
“Today the people of the East End sent a powerful message to RBS Chiefs – don’t close our branch.
“As a community, we stand united against these proposals which are ill thought out and make no sense whatsoever. Even today, as we were being photographed outside the branch, there was a large queue right back to the door, so we know this is a busy branch which is well used by local folk.
“RBS say they are closing the branch because more people use digital banking these days, but the evidence from this petition is that people want a face-to-face service in their community. RBS must, therefore, listen and respond accordingly.”
Labour Councillor, Frank McAveety, added:
“The RBS branch has served our area well and losing access to local banking facilities will have a major effect on customers . It is taxpayers who helped save RBS and the bank bosses should listen to the people of the East End and reverse their plans to close the Shettleston Branch.”
