Shock as Barclays announce Welshpool closure
Mr Williams announced that he would be seeking urgent talks with senior officials after being told that Newtown’s branch would also close a week after Welshpool, leaving Montgomeryshire without a single branch.
“I am incredibly disappointed to learn today of Barclays’ plans to close its branches in Newtown and Welshpool,” said Mr Williams this afternoon.
“This decision will mean that Barclays will now have no physical footprint in Montgomeryshire, which is an enormous blow to staff and customers of both branches, as well as the constituency as a whole.
“Whilst I accept that the number of in branch banking transactions has fallen significantly over the past few years, over the counter services are of vital importance to customers who prefer not to bank online, or who are unable to – particularly in rural areas such as Montgomeryshire.
“The facility to use the Post Office for some banking services does not fully compensate for the closure of a personalised and local branch.
“I am now seeking an urgent meeting with Barclays’ representatives to discuss how it plans to provide services for its disenfranchised customers, and to ensure that continuing to provide personal and tailored services for those without access to online banking is its top priority.”
In March, Barclays told MyWelshpool readers that it was sorry for the reduce d opening hours which it blamed on staff shortages.
The news comes less than a year after HSBC called time on its Welshpool operation and, more worryingly, is that another town centre property is set to become empty. Only last weekend Savers closed its doors in Welshpool, across the road from Barclays.
We have contacted Barclays for a statement.
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