People in Ardara and Ballymote say the closure of the Ulster Bank branches in these town is a huge blow to the local economy.
The announcement by the Ulster Bank yesterday means these two branches are among 22 nationwide that are to close as part of a restructuring operation by the bank.
Ulster Bank confirmed yesterday that the branches in Ardara and Ballymote will close in September while Raphoe will close in June.
While they have not broken down the individual jobs to be lost over 200 jobs will go nationwide.
It’s a huge blow for Ardara in particular where there is no other bank and in Ballymote there is only the Bank of Ireland.
Chat on social media yesterday evening show just how angry people and especially businesses are in the town.
Damien Diver of the local Centra Shop in Ardara says it’s a busy tourist spot during the summer and he’s concerned about the knock-on effects of this decision including the security aspect for local businesses:
While the number of job losses in the individual branches has not been broken down by the bank, at least 10 people will be affected by the move.
Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon says he he has been using the branch for almost 50 years and it’s a huge blow for the whole town but especially those working there.
He says the decision makes no sense:
