MIKE Holmes has hit out after Clydesdale Bank announced its branch in Bridge of Weir is to close.

The Labour councillor for the Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank believes that local businesses are likely to suffer as a result of the closure.

He said: “This is very disappointing news for residents of Bridge of Weir who use the bank and an economic blow to the village.

“Other local businesses will undoubtedly suffer as customers travel to Johnstone and Paisley to access banking services.

“Whilst I appreciate some people are changing the way they manage their banking, many still like the friendly face to face services provided in their local branch. “

Meanwhile, Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has also criticised the bank’s decision to shut the branch and has written to the bosses to protest against the closure.

He said: “I am very concerned about the announced closure of the Bridge of Weir branch in my constituency and have asked the Clydesdale Bank to reconsider this decision.

“The Clydesdale branch is extremely important to the Bridge of Weir community who will be saddened to lose their local bank.

“The village of Bridge of Weir has significant elderly population who will be particularly, and negatively, affected by the closure of this vital local branch.

“The closure means that they will now have to travel to Johnstone, more than three miles away, to do their banking.

“Not everyone in Bridge of Weir will be able to travel far to do their banking, and many struggle with online banking for various reasons.”

Clydesdale Bank bosses have said customers’ accounts will automatically be transferred to the Dunn Square branch, Paisley.

The Bridge of Weir Branch, which will close on Monday, July 18, is one of nine branches across Scotland to be affected by the closures with others including Bishopbriggs, Blantyre, Cardonald, Coatbridge, Lanark, Prestwick, Hawick and Tain.

The Bank will now place posters in the branch advising customers of the alternative ways they can continue to manage their accounts.

Steve Fletcher, head of customer banking networks, said: “I understand this will not be welcome news for those who use this particular branch.

“These are difficult decisions but ones we must face as we try to keep up with the pace of change in the way people want to bank.

“We have to balance our investment to ensure we support demand where it is greatest, across mobile, online and branch services.

“Branches remain vitally important to us, and we continue to invest in them, the services they offer and when we offer them.”