THE customers of a bank set to close next month may still have access to services in the town, local politicians have told the Cambrian News.

The Porthmadog branch of Barclays will close next month, but the bank will now look into keeping a presence there.

The news comes following a meeting of community leaders and representatives of Barclays Bank.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS, Mabon ap Gwynfor, organised the meeting following the bank’s devastating announcement that they will close the bank in February.

Councillors Nia Jeffreys, Selwyn Griffiths Cllr Llew Rhys, the chair of Porthmadog Town Council, attended the meeting to express the concerns of the community and lobby the bank to ensure that banking services continue in the town.

Cllr Jeffreys said: “Elderly and vulnerable people will struggle to access banking services if there’s no presence in the town.

“Following a long discussion, Barclays said that they would look to have a staff member placed in a public space in the town to assist with customers who have concerns, or wish to see someone for various banking issues.

“This was a positive step forward, and we will work with the bank to promote this service, so that we can make sure that nobody is left behind and the vulnerable and elderly have access to a bank clerk that can help them with their banking needs.”

Cllr Llew Rhys, chair of Porthmadog Town Council said: “The news that Barclays are going to close their branch came as a bitter blow.

“The banking sector has no loyalty to the communities that helped them grow.

“Closing a bank that’s been on the Porthmadog High Street for generations is another blow to the High Street.

“It’s important that the services that the bank provides continues in the community.”

Councillor Selwyn Griffiths added: “Residents and customers here only found about the closure through word of mouth or on social media, which is no way to treat the community and loyal customers.

“However, as local representatives we have the community at heart and understand that people are concerned so we will make sure the best we can that plans by Barclays to have a staff member based in the town is shared widely and that people know how to have access to this service.”

Dwyfor Meirionnydd Senedd Member, Mabon ap Gwynfor, said: “Banks are pushing everybody online, but that leaves a large number of people without access to those services.

“We have a number of not-spot areas here too, with no access to 4G and poor broadband, so it’s unfair to expect them to go online.

“These are some of the reasons we put forward for maintaining a level of service in the town, and so it is welcomed that they will look to have a staff member here to assist.

“But we await the details of this and will keep our residents informed.

“We will continue to put pressure on the bank to ensure that Welsh language service are provided too.”