BARCLAYS Bank has taken another step closer to opening a branch in Dunfermline’s High Street.

The financial services giant’s application to put up two signs and an ATM surround at 133 High Street has been approved by Fife Council.

The bank already has permission to turn the former mobile phone shop into a “new Barclays High Street format store”.

The development is part of Barclays’ proposals for a larger network of branches in Scotland and when it opens, the Dunfermline site will be its first branch in the city.

However, Barclays remained tight-lipped about their plans, and a spokesman would only say that they were “still exploring a number of options”.

Barclays currently has 10 branches in Scotland, and a supporting statement submitted with the previous application read, “Barclays is currently rolling out a full programme of branch refurbishment and new branch provision across the main cities and town centres of the UK and has now begun to establish new facilities in the main towns in Scotland.

"The new retail banking concept has been introduced to deliver on core retail drivers of visibility, accessibility and simplicity.

“This includes introducing open shop fronts, automatic sliding entrance doors, fully open counters, improved self-service facilities and open and closed consultation rooms to improve and enhance the customer experience.”