Plans to install a new banking hub in Bathgate have been delayed.
Now the firm behind the hubs is looking for a “bricks and mortar” solution instead of the planned prefabricated cabin option.
And local Councillor Harry Cartmill thinks further delay is needless when the business could relocate to one of the former banks in the town.
There was widespread opposition to the initial plans to site the hub in Morrison’s supermarket car park, just off Whitburn Road.
In September, a local businesswoman, Nicola Burns, raised a petition of more than 1,500 signatures seeking to keep the Bathgate banking hub in the main shopping area.
At the start of the year Cash Access UK the firm behind the banking hubs contacted Councillor Cartmill to say the hub could not be sited in the car park because of “unforeseen issues”.
In an email to the councillor Gemma Mackie, the firm’s regional manager said: “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen issues arising during the building warrant process, the original cabin-based solution is no longer viable at the proposed location in Morrison’s car park.
“These challenges could not be resolved within a reasonable time-frame and would have caused further delays to the delivery of the Banking Hub.”
She added: “To avoid these issues and to provide greater certainty for the community, a decision has now been taken to move forward with a permanent bricks-and-mortar Banking Hub instead.
“We remain committed to bringing a permanent hub to the community and will continue our search for a suitable, convenient, and available location.”
The banking hub currently operates in the Jim Walker Partnership in South Bridge Street and will continue to do so until a new site is found
Councillor Cartmill told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he thought the idea of moving to the car park was “ ludicrous”: “with no bus access , poor visibility and really only accessible to car owners when those most needing this once cherished High Street Service – the elderly and ‘ digitally disadvantaged’ were effectively excluded .”
And he questioned why a new building was being considered. “Why does a permanent structure need to be built; with all the delays and unnecessary costs when the ex Bank Branches all located in easily accessible locations that have bus stops near ,disabled access, parking , toilets , ample waiting space within are not being utilised, either bought or rented by Banking Hub?”
Nicola Burns welcomed the ongoing commitment to find new premises. She told the LDRS: “I am grateful to Cash Access for continuing to offer an option for cash banking since the closure of all the banks within Bathgate.
“Access to cash remains important for many residents and local businesses.
“Although I’m aware that this is a setback in terms of time scale, I think, long term, bricks and mortar building within the centre of town will be much better for both Cash Access and the local community of Bathgate and further afield.
“I have already been in touch with Cash Access and passed on details of a vacant town centre property that may be a possible solution.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
