A LOCAL business owner in Lisnaskea has hit out at the proposed closure of the Bank of Ireland branch in the town, one of more than half of the international banking group's proposed branch closures across Northern Ireland (NI).

The news emerged on Monday morning when the group revealed plans to close 103 branches across the island of Ireland, including the Lisnaskea branch.

More than half of the group's branches in NI are set to close, dropping to 13 branches from 28, following the conclusion of a strategic review of the bank's operations.

Ashley Charles, of Cherrytree Home Bakery, said: "We're trying to bring back to people into the area, and we have seen some of that during Covid-19 [due to people relocating], but if there are no services here, what is there to keep people here?

"[The bank] certainly was a draw for the town, but the problem is with the Covid, and the deterioration of the High Street as a whole, not just in Lisnaskea but in all towns, [impacts negatively on us].

"Someone is going to have to do something about it. There is no one here to bring the banks to task – whenever the banks were in trouble the Government did have to bail them out.

"Ultimately, at this stage, businesses pay taxes to the Government, and those taxes went to help bail the banks out."

The closure of the bank was a hot topic of conversation in the town on Monday, according to Ashley.

"The more businesses you have in town, the better. The bigger the draw to the town, the better.

"A lot of our business would have came in from the South; maybe some of them had their Northern bank accounts here.

"Being so close to the Border, you do have a lot of people who deal in the two different currencies."

Ashley continued: "Where do they go now – do they go on to Enniskillen [to do their banking etc], and will they stop in with us?

"It's just one less draw to the town. It could be another nail in the coffin for some [businesses]; I certainly hope it isn't.

"The town has faced many cuts over the years, and has had services leaving it.

"It's hard to get some sort of community spirit or something like that going when the town seems to be getting kicked all the time."

Echoing Ashley's comments, local elected representatives also criticised news that the Lisnaskea branch has been earmarked for closure.

Speaking after the announcement, Lisnaskea-based Sinn Féin MLA Sean Lynch, said: "Firstly I'd like to show solidarity with any members of staff who may be affected by this announcement.

"I use the bank myself and would know the staff personally. I can not believe that Bank of Ireland are using the low numbers of customers going into their branches during the Covid pandemic as an excuse to close branches," he said.

The MLA continued: "Banks in towns like Lisnaskea provide an essential service, especially to those who are not digitally connected, and this particular branch covers a wide area all across South Fermanagh.

"It also caters to a number of cross-Border customers and businesses. I have contacted the bank to voice my opposition to this opportunistic decision in the present circumstances."

Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton also expressed disappointment. She said: “Once again, we are seeing vital services being stripped from communities as a policy decision of centralisation rather than putting customer needs first.

"The usual story of 'increased online banking' and 'automated systems' are used [to justify such a decision].

“[The closure] will come as a blow to local families, farms and businesses in the Lisnaskea area. This is a thriving and active community – this decision will have a major negative impact on the businesses and people of this area.

“There is great community spirit in this area, and we believed the banks were always part of that community, but it just appears the Bank of Ireland have been using their facility to grab what they can from the community and now run!

“When dealing with large organisations, whether public or private, I often get the impression the policy of reducing rural branches and services comes first, and it is not difficult to ensure the viability figures back up the policy, rather than putting effort into making these vital community services profitable.

“Although the bank has indicated they will contact customers individually with details of alternatives such as the post office, I would still encourage customers with any concerns to get in touch with the bank,” she said.