FED UP bank staff were left twiddling their thumbs and drinking tea yesterday (Thursday) as the public in Stornoway snubbed January 2 opening, imposed by the banks to bring them in line with England. At the Bank of Scotland, the staff had little more than handful of customers to deal with during their two hour opening between 9am and 11am. A sole teller sat waiting for the Cromwell Street branch door to open. The rest of the staff were "behind the scenes having a cup of tea " on what was the first time in 25 years the branch had opened for business on January 2.

The Gazette was told: "People in Stornoway are neither up nor down whether we are open today or not. The autoteller is there, there's Switch and credit cards, so there's no real need to come in to the bank for cash.

"This January 2 opening is aimed at the big business sector, not the branch network."

Over on South Beach Street, the only word that could be used to describe the staff in the Clydesdale Bank was 'scunnered'. Eighty minutes after opening they had seen only two customers cross the threshold, and by the look on staff's faces they were not relishing the next six hours until close of business. It was a similar story on Francis Street at the TSB where the bank was open from 10 am until 3 pm.

Colleagues at the Royal Bank of Scotland appeared to be having a nicer day, though. The bank remained closed.

Elsewhere yesterday the town was quiet, with few people around to take advantage of the few shops that were trading. Business was slow at the town's papershops, and the only outlets reporting steady trade were the filling stations. Presto Shell Street remained relatively deserted despite its big rival, the Macaulay Road Co-op being closed.

Meanwhile, Stornoway businesses have dismissed talk of economic gloom and doom in the town centre.

Stories have been rife of virtually of shops closing down shortly. But two of the ventures mentioned in the rumours have rejected talk of imminent closures.

Ironmongers, Charles Morrison, a business established in 1863, said they had heard the story of their demise. They laughed off the suggestion, saying they intended to be in business for a long time yet

Another of those allegedly on the way out is butcher's Roddy Morrison. Owner, George Morrison explained his two butcher shops, processing factory and grocery shop are up for sale, but only for family and health reasons.

Original article Stornoway Gazette Jan 03 1997.