A CAMPAIGN to reinstate an ATM to Cullen has been launched by the local MSP and councillor.
Last Thursday saw Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson and Keith-Cullen Councillor Theresa Coull unveil their drive to bring back a 24-hour cash machine to the village for the first time since the Bank of Scotland closed their part-time branch there in November 2016.
Since then, numerous concerns have been raised by the community, including businesses who fear they are losing trade as visitors and tourists want to pay by cash but cannot access a cash machine nearby.
Both SNP politicians have written to Link and the Bank of Scotland urging them to find a solution to the problems that tourists and businesses in Cullen are facing.
Mr Stevenson told the Advertiser: “Cullen was only just recently named as one of the top holiday destinations in the UK yet tourists, and locals, are not able to access cash 24 hours a day.
“I am pleased to join with my SNP colleague, Councillor Theresa Coull, in campaigning to get an ATM re-installed in Cullen.
“This is not only important for tourist’s convenience but also to ensure that the small businesses in Cullen can thrive and flourish. Many of the businesses in Cullen rely on accepting cash and if tourists and locals cannot access cash easily then they will take their money elsewhere.
“I will continue to do all I can, working alongside the local community, to try and get a cash machine back to Cullen so that businesses in the town can prosper.”
Councillor Coull said the lack of an ATM had become a “serious issue”.
“The lack of a 24 hour cash machine in Cullen is a real problem for many of the tourists, visitors and businesses,” she continued.
“It was great news when Cullen was voted one of the best places to have a holiday but the unavailability of cash is a serious issue.
“Not everyone can or wants to pay by card and not every business can take them. Therefore, it’s important that for Cullen businesses to really benefit from tourism that cash is readily available.
“I hope that the campaign we are starting will result in an ATM being reinstated back in to Cullen so that the tourist pound can stay in Cullen.”
The campaign to bring an ATM back to Cullen was enthusiastically endorsed by Stewart Black, the chairman of Cullen and Deskford Community Council.
He said: “An ATM for Cullen can only be a good thing.
“To this end the community council is in contact with a provider of ATMs regarding the possibility of installing one in Cullen. We have the choice of two types a free standing one or the more normal one with the screen on the outside of a building. This latter type will be more difficult because we need to source a business willing to have it on their premises.
“At this moment in time we are in the midst of correlating a meeting with this provider to see what will be most suitable option for Cullen.”