THE Bank of Scotland has confirmed it's to cut the opening hours of its Helensburgh branch in a further blow to face-to-face banking in the town.

The move comes less than a month after the Bank of Scotland's rival, the RBS, announced its Helensburgh branch will close altogether later in the year.

The Bank of Scotland branch, on the north side of Colquhoun Square, is currently open from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

But under the revised opening hours, the branch will only be open four days a week, instead of five as at present. 

The bank will be closed on Fridays, with the opening hours from Monday to Thursday the same as they are at the moment.

The new opening hours will come into effect on July 8.

Argyll and Bute councillors gave their unanimous backing recently to a call from Helensburgh Central councillor Fiona Howard to express the authority's displeasure at the closure news.

Councillor Howard, who has also jointly launched a petition, along with members of the Helensburgh Business Group, protesting at the RBS closure plans, spoke about the Bank of Scotland's cut to its local opening hours at a meeting of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond community planning group on Tuesday, May 7.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Jackie Baillie MSP was the first person to sign a petition protesting against the closure of the RBS branch in Helensburgh.Jackie Baillie MSP was the first person to sign a petition protesting against the closure of the RBS branch in Helensburgh. (Image: Tom Watt)

She said: “It has all been a bit sudden, but I understand there is now legislation at the end of the year making it a bit more difficult for banks to do this.

“It is worrying in lots of respects for people who use local banks, or can only use local banks; it is worrying for businesses on where to put their cash.

“I understand that Bank of Scotland will also be reducing its hours, and there is an application in to remove the cash machines at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

"Anybody who has been in the town on a Saturday can see how busy these machines are.

“I accept the petition will probably not change the Royal Bank of Scotland’s mind, but it lets them see people need banking services.

“We have put forward a case for a banking hub for Helensburgh, and would also like to ask members of the community planning group to ensure they sign the petition.”

The Bank of Scotland, which is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, is already planning to shut its only other physical branch in Helensburgh and Lomond later this year.

The branch on Shore Road in Kilcreggan will close for the last time on August 15.

The RBS branch in Helensburgh is currently due to shut permanently at the close of business on September 26.

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “As more customers choose to manage their day-to-day banking online, it’s important our people are available when it matters most.

“From July 8, the Helensburgh branch will be open from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 3.30pm. Customers can bank with us through our mobile app or online 24/7, and can use the local Post Office or alternative branches.”