SHOPKEEPERS and other business owners in Aberaeron are having to travel as far as Lampeter to get loose change, following the closure of the town’s branch of HSBC.

And one trader has become so fed up at the loss of the service she has had to install two cash machines at her shop to help local people withdraw cash.

Angela Coles, of Aberaeron Stores, said that locals are struggling to get bank notes while exasperated shopkeepers are perennially seeking loose change for their tills.

“Would you believe I’ve even had to make the 35-mile round trip to Lampeter’s HSBC just to get some change?” she told the Cambrian News. “The post office here in Aberaeron say they not obliged to provide any.

“They’re closing banks willy-nilly and say services can be provided by the post office – to me, if you’re providing a banking service it has to be all or nothing.”

Cllr Elizabeth Evans added: “The closure of the HSBC branch in Aberaeron now means business customers have to travel to Lampeter.

“I sincerely hope that HSBC will reconsider their position on this issue as its a huge inconvenience for their customers.”

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