Concerns raised about "short-sighted" decision to close ATM at Forres Post Office
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CONCERNS have been raised about plans to close an ATM on Forres High Street.
It has been announced that the ATM outside Forres Post Office is set to stop operating on January 31 – with TSB and its ATM just 100 yards up the street already closing in April.
Postmaster Paul McBain and Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross have both appealed to the Post Office to keep the ATM open, pointing to the fact its footfall is likely to be positively affected by the closure of TSB.
Postmaster and shop proprietor Paul McBain said: "I've known for about eight months that this was going to happen and I never had many objections at the time, but with TSB closing I've asked for the Post Office to reconsider.
"Losing one ATM would be disappointing but losing both would be a disaster.
"TSB advised their current customers and others to make full use the services my team and I provide here at the Post Office.
"Now the Post Office have said they want to close down this ready access to cash. It's very short-sighted decision.
"As long as the ATM is here we will keep fighting to keep it open."
If the closure was to go ahead, the nearest ATM would become the one outside the Bank of Scotland in the town centre.
Adding to the problem, the three takeaways on the opposite side of the street – Kebabish, Speedy Pepper and The Lucky Star – are all cash only.
Moray MP Douglas Ross has raised these concerns with the Post Office, urging them to reconsider their plans and keep the ATM in operation.
Mr Ross said: “The Post Office have said they plan to remove the ATM next month, but I’m urging them to reconsider.
“This is yet another nail in the coffin of our community access to banking facilities and cash and I hope they will listen to local concerns and keep the ATM in place.
"Removing both of the ATMs at the west of Forres will clearly have an impact on local people and business.
“I have written in the strongest possible terms to the Post Office, making them aware of the TSB closure just a few hundred metres from the Post Office, and I’ve asked them to reconsider this decision.”
During its opening hours, Forres Post Office can provide cash over the counter.
