High street banking returns to Welshpool!
Barclays, HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds all quit Welshpool in the space of two years, leaving the town as one of the first in Wales without a single bank.
But a new Banking Hub will officially open on Thursday, the second in Wales, with the four banks, as well as Santander, each having a dedicated day for customers alongside daily counter services offered for all banks and building societies, operated by the Post Office, where customers can carry out regular cash transactions.
It will officially open at 2pm at 40 Broad Street, formerly occupied by Lloyds Bank, and follows several days of soft opening.
Welshpool was chosen to receive a Banking Hub after LINK, the UK’s cash access and cash machine network, identified the need for enhanced cash deposit services following the bank branch closures in the town.
This is the second Banking Hub to open in Wales following Prestatyn (Denbighshire), which opened last week.
Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week:
Monday: Lloyds
Tuesday: NatWest
Wednesday: HSBC
Thursday: Santander
Friday: Barclays
What’s being said:
Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK: “I’m really pleased we are able to open the doors of Welshpool’s Banking Hub after much anticipation and some unexpected delays. This Hub will provide much needed cash and banking services to local residents and businesses. We look forward to welcoming the community to the Banking Hub and providing them with essential access to cash.”
Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire: “Following the closure of the last remaining banks in Welshpool at the beginning of this year, Russell George MS and I have been campaigning for banking services to remain within the town. The opening of the new banking hub will restore access to the major banks on our high street and an ATM, which will be added soon.
“This is hugely positive for residents of Welshpool and surrounding communities, and will also help to deliver new investment to the town in giving local businesses easy access to vital banking services.
Russell George, MS for Montgomeryshire: “Over recent years, many high street banks have closed their doors in towns across Montgomeryshire. This is why, along with Craig Williams MP, we have campaigned for a dramatic improvement in banking services on our High Streets.
"I was delighted that Welshpool was chosen as the location for one of the first Hub banks to open in Wales. The Hub will be able to support cash transactions every day. Particularly important is going to be the provision of a Community Banker from many of the major banks on rotation by weekday.
“Despite some delays, I am delighted that the opening will mean banking services to local residents and businesses will be available on the High street once again.”
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