BARCLAYS has confirmed plans to press ahead with the closure of the last remaining bank in Barmouth despite opposition from local people and their MP.

In a meeting with Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts, Gwynedd councillor Gethin Williams and Barmouth town councillors Jamie Brooks and Rob Triggs, Barclays officials confirmed they won’t be reversing their decision to axe the branch, which will leave the popular seaside resort with no bank from September on.

An online petition calling on the bank to keep the branch open has already received 1,162 signatures.

Commenting following the meeting, Mrs Saville Roberts said: ‘I’m disappointed that Barclays are unwilling to recognise the strong local opposition to the branch closure in Barmouth and reconsider their decision to close the last remaining bank in the town.

“It seems that rural areas are bearing the brunt of bank closures from high-street retail banks.

“I’m fed up of hearing that customers can choose online banking as this fails to take into account the poor broadband service experienced in many parts of Wales, such as certain areas in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

“Since Barclays is unwilling to revert the closure then they must fully comply with guidelines put forward by the British Banking Association which calls on banks to ensure adequate measures are in place to mitigate impacts of branch closures in our towns such as providing access to ATMs.”

See this week’s north papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Thursday