*Photograph: Páraic McMahon
Three Bank of Ireland branches that were feared to be closing permanently as a result of COVID-19 are to reopen at the end of the month.
Branches in Kilkee, Miltown Malbay and Tulla are among the 83 that will reopen to the public from June 29th. Bank of Ireland had closed 101 branches across the country as a result of COVID-19, the 18 that will remain closed “are mainly located in areas of restricted access or low footfall, hospitals, airports and college campuses,” a spokesperson told The Clare Echo.
The three Clare branches will be open from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.
All operations and services are being kept under review. A total of 161 prioritised branches stayed open during the restrictions, modification are to be made to those which closed prior to June 29th “to allow for social distancing and the protection of customers and colleagues in branch”. Lodgement and withdrawal services will be restored to all ATMs.
“We have been monitoring and adapting our operations throughout COVID-19 to reflect customer demand and public health advice. As the economy starts to reopen, which is critically important for families and businesses across Ireland, we are updating our operations over the coming weeks,” CEO of Retail Ireland at Bank of Ireland, Gavin Kelly commented.
Kelly added, “We continue to see steady demand for support from our SME customers, as well as increasing enquires about the State supports which are planned to be introduced. As businesses start to reopen they are keen to access these supports. We are preparing our operations and resources to ensure that as soon as the full range of State supports are ready to be rolled out we can process applications for customers without delay. We stand ready to play our part in supporting businesses across Ireland as they reopen”.
