A POP-UP bank branch will be provided twice a week at The Fraser Centre in Tranent from August 1.

With Tranent’s Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branch, the last banking branch in the town, set to close next Thursday (July 27), RBS has announced that the pop-up will begin immediately following the closure.

The community pop-up will support customers with queries around their banking service, frauds and scams, as well as supporting customers to access and use NatWest’s digital services.

The service will operate between 9.30am and 12.30pm every Tuesday and Friday.

Colleagues at the pop-up can also signpost customers to other local in-person banking services.

Mark Scanlon, of Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “When we make changes to our branch network, we work hard to make sure that there’s support available in the local community for those affected by the change.

“Branch closures can affect people that are less confident with the digital alternatives we offer, or don’t yet know about the alternative options available for banking in person, so our community pop-ups provide a service tailored to the needs of customers in that community while signposting to other in-person services.

“Friendly staff will be on hand to help those customers that do still want to speak to us face-to-face with their banking-related queries, as well as offering advice and support on using our digital services.”

Mike Falconer, chair of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “With the bank closing, it was clear Tranent needed some sort of banking service.

“This will not replace the loss of the banking branch, which also leaves another empty building in the town, but it is better than nothing.

“It is good to see that it will be there twice a week. We will just need to see how beneficial it is.”

Lee-Anne Menzies, ward councillor for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, said: "It was clear that having a banking service in the area was very important.

"I have made my feelings on the matter clear.

"I am pleased that RBS have recognised this need and will offer this service going forward.

"I do not think it will replace the bank. I still have concerns.

"I have been in contact with businesses who have considered Tranent as a possible location. One of they're big concerns is where they are going to cash in money.

"Having to queue at the post office with the rest of us who are queuing to post our Vinted parcels is not appealing." 

Community pop-ups are cashless, so if customers need to withdraw money or cash a cheque, they will need to visit their nearest branch or Post Office.