Platres could lose its only bank branch. Residents protest.

The Bank of Cyprus branch in Pano Platres is set to close by the end of the year, according to information provided by the community authorities. Residents fear it will disrupt access to banking services, especially for seniors and residents of surrounding areas.

According to the community council, the ATM will also be relocated to Trimiklini. Dimitris Papatheodotou, the chairman of the Pano Platres municipality, has requested assistance from members of parliament, the president, and party leaders. The branch has been operating in the village for approximately 60 years.

The only bank branch in Platres is at risk of closure.

The facility serves not only residents of Pano Platres but also the surrounding communities in Troodos. It also serves people from Omodos and Pachna, where branches have already been closed.

According to Papatheodotou, after the branch's closure, the nearest Bank of Cyprus branch would be in Agros. Eurobank indicated Kyperounta as the closest branch.

For customers, this would mean having to travel to another location for matters requiring personal service. The ability to use an ATM does not replace all branch services.

The greatest concerns concern seniors

The community authorities emphasize that access to a bank is a basic need for residents of mountain areas.

The situation may be particularly difficult for older people who rely on in-person services and cannot manage all their matters online. Closing a facility would mean additional travel for them, and sometimes even the need to find transportation.

The community council published an appeal to keep the branch, emphasizing that banking services are a need, not a luxury.

The ATM is to be installed in Trimiklini

According to the council, the Bank of Cyprus ATM would be relocated to the Trimiklini road junction.

This is a separate issue from the closure of service desks. Leaving the device in Platres would allow at least some basic operations to continue to be performed on-site. Its transfer would further limit the availability of this bank's services.

However, this information should not be equated with the confirmed absence of any device of any operator in the entire area.

In winter 250 inhabitants, in summer much more

Papatheodotou points out that the planned closure comes at a time of town development and multi-million dollar investments.

According to the data he provided, in winter Pano Platres has about 250 permanent residents, while several thousand people spend the summer there. The town has over a thousand properties and facilities, including hotels.

Community authorities argue that the need for a bank shouldn't be assessed solely on the number of people living there year-round. Businesses, seasonal residents, and clients from neighboring villages also play a role.

Community authorities are looking for support

The chairman has already contacted Limassol district MPs. He has also sent letters to the president and party leaders, and further letters are expected to be sent to the Bank of Cyprus board.

Neighboring communities are also preparing their own initiatives. The Pano Platres Council encourages residents to submit proposals and support efforts to preserve the facility.

Information about the closure and relocation of the ATM at this stage comes from local authorities. The branch is still listed on the Bank of Cyprus online directory. We haven't found a separate announcement from the bank specifying the exact termination date or terms of continued customer service.