A petition has been signed by nearly 1,000 people in just a few days after the “devastating” announcement that Barmouth’s last bank will be axed this year.

As snow and wind battered Barmouth last Friday, residents faced another hit when they opened a letter from Barclays bank announcing they were shutting down the local branch on 28 September of this year.

The bank also stated that the branch in Machynlleth was to close on 21 September leaving residents in the region low on options, especially as the Bala branch shuts at the end of this month too.

The bank told the Cambrian News they made the decision after footfall in the Barclays branch fell by seven per cent in the last 24 months.

Barmouth mayor Rob Triggs was outraged.

“This is a devastating blow to Barmouth,” he said. “Businesses, locals and tourists rely on the banking services provided by the last bank in town.

“The removal of the cash machine will make it a nightmare for people relying on cash to go about their daily lives.”

Set up by Delyth Morris, the petition urges Barclays to keep the bank open and reads: “We have lots of little villages and visitors who visit the town and this is the only bank left.

“This means the elderly have to travel further and I feel this may frustrate folk and they may decide to use other towns.

“We are a seaside town and rely on tourism and people from the smaller villages to come in to the town to keep Barmouth going.”

Cllr Triggs added: “I will be meeting with Gwynedd councillor Gethin Williams and MP Liz Saville Roberts to campaign against the closure.”

When asked about their decision to close the valuable community asset, Ramona Enfield, Barclays community banking director for north Wales said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At Barclays Barmouth branch, customer usage has continued to decline (seven per cent in the last 24 months), which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly and we are committed to adhering to the UK Access to Banking Standard.

“All of our customers will receive a letter, our decision to close document and posters will be displayed in branch and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

“We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes on 28 September."

To view and/or sign the petition to save the bank, visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-barclays-bank-open-in-barmouthSee this week's Meirionnydd edition for the full story, in shops and online now