BARCLAYS Bank is closing its branches in Llandysul and Llanidloes.

Barclays has confirmed that their Wind Street branch in Llandysul will be closing on Friday, 17 November.

Giving his reaction, local county councillor Keith Evans said it was “yet more bad news” for a town which has lost a string of facilities in recent years.

“You’ve got to be upfront about it and admit that this news is not unexpected given the fact the bank has only been opening three days a week,” he told the Cambrian News.

“But it’s yet more bad news for Llandysul – the post office is relocating to CK’s in Pontweli next month although at least that will be remaining within the environs of the town.

“The Barclays closure will finally bring an end to banking in a town which not so very long ago had four very strong banks operating.

“Decisions such as these hardly encourage people to invest in the area. Yes, more and more transactions take place online but banks never think about those who are setting up new businesses and could do with face-to-face contact with their bank manager.

“I sometimes think the best thing we can all do is to up sticks and move to Cardiff because absolutely everything is being centralised nowadays.

“Here in Ceredigion we seem to be concentrating our investment on Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Lampeter.”

Barclays has been accused of showing little regard for communities in north Powys after it emerged that it intends to close its branch in Llanidloes.

Barclays, which is the only bank which operates in Llanidloes after other companies withdrew their services, confirmed in a letter to local AM, Russell George, that they intend to close the only remaining bank in the town on 10 November.

In the letter, Barclays say that customers will be expected to travel to Newtown to use the nearest Barclays branch or use the Post Office for transactions such as paying in cheques or depositing cash.

Mr George is meeting with Llanidloes Town Council on Monday to discuss the matter further.

Mr George said: “When Barclays reduced its opening days at the branch two years ago, I met with bank officials then, and firmly made the point that the decision should not be a slippery slope to complete closure. They assured me at the time that having branches on the High Street was still very much part of their plans.

“I’m therefore angry and disappointed at Barclays’ decision to close its branch in Llanidloes which simply does not reflect the commitments they made to me just two years ago. The bank has betrayed the people of Llanidloes and the surrounding areas.

“They know full well that it is the only remaining branch in the town and unilateral decisions like these only confirm that these giant banking groups have absolutely no regard for communities in Mid Wales who rely on their services.

Cllr Phyl Davies who represents the Blaen Hafren ward, and who also met with Barclays officials two years ago, added: “It is inconceivable for a town the size of Llanidloes to have no over the counter banking facilities whatsoever and I will be doing everything I can to change this decision.

“I believe Barclays will be sent a loud and clear message from the people of Llanidloes that there is overwhelming public support for the branch to remain. I believe they are treating loyal customers with contempt.”

Mr George recently raised the issue of mid Wales bank closures with the First Minister in the National Assembly for Wales, once again calling for a new community banking model which would preserve the presence of banks on Powys’ high streets.