TWO former banks which closed recently in Newcastle and Castlewellan may be leased to the community.
Danske Bank, which closed the two branches earlier this year, has told local councillors that it may allow the buildings to be leased for community use if buyers cannot be found.
The news was confirmed during a meeting between Danske officials and Newcastle councillors last week to discuss the closure of bank branches at Main Street in Newcastle and Castlewellan’s Lower Square.
Councillor Patrick Clarke said Danske officials made it clear that there is no prospect of either branches reopening, but confirmed that the bank’s cash dispensing machines in Newcastle and Castlewellan will continue to operate until the buildings are sold.
“While pleased that the cash machines at both branches are to remain in operation in the short term, I have asked Danske officials to consider providing a new ATM at the South Promenade area in Newcastle,” said councillor Clarke.
“The one positive thing to emerge from last week’s meeting is that bank officials will consider leasing the local branches for community use if they fail to find buyers for them.”
Councillor Clarke said Danske officials confirmed the closure of the local branches was part of a commercial decision taken by senior staff in Belfast.
“It was intimated during last week’s meeting that the local branches were not as productive as other Danske outlets in terms of selling a range of bank products to customers,” he revealed.
Councillor Clarke said Danske officials confirmed there are no plans to close any of its other branches in the South Down area.
He added: “Bank officials admitted that while the closure of the Newcastle and Castlewellan branches is ‘regrettable,” banking is changing with increasing numbers of using the internet for their banking needs.”