The proposed closure of Tranent’s RBS branch is “very worrying” as it will “create another empty building space on Tranent High Street”.

Those were the words of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council chair Mike Falconer who said the community council would do what was necessary to fight against the closure of the bank.

Last month it was announced that RBS planned to close its Tranent branch on July 27 after customer footfall numbers had decreased in recent years.

The decision has been met with backlash from members of the community including MSPs Martin Whitfield (Labour), Craig Hoy (Conservative) and Labour’s East Lothian candidate for the next General Election Douglas Alexander.

A petition was launched by Labour MSPs and councillors last week to garner support for keeping the bank open.

Mr Falconer, who came out in opposition to the closure of the bank as soon as the announcement was made, said he too would support action to stop the closure.

He said: “I think this is the latest in a long list of closures for businesses in Tranent and the reality is our High Street is getting more and more bare.

“There is only so many times you can visit the High Street to go to Greggs and this is going to create another empty building space on Tranent High Street.

“That is very worrying for a number of reasons.”

A report was published by RBS which showed that the branch was only used by 37 customers on a regular basis in 2021.

But Mr Falconer said this number was an unfair calculation given that Scotland was in and out of lockdown that year.

He said: “I find it interesting that they are using 2021’s figures as the basis for their argument. I don’t think judging numbers during the pandemic gives a fair representation of the number of customers visiting the bank.

“It also says that to be a regular customer you have to visit the branch at least once a week for six months. That to me is unrealistic as many people don’t need to visit every week. I just don’t feel theses numbers are accurate.”

Mr Falconer said he hoped that a decision would be made to reverse the plan to close the bank in the coming weeks.

He said: “I feel the response to this has been strong and people are clearly in opposition to the closure. I understand that there is a move towards online banking, but I think this branch is important to Tranent.

“I hope the right decision is made in the end.”

RBS has been contacted for comment.