MACHYNLLETH’S mayor has won backing from fellow town councillors to write to Barclays to criticise the decision to close the town’s branch which he said left him “disgusted and disappointed”.

Cllr Tony Jones said he was angry at the bank’s decision to close the Machynlleth branch in September as part of a programme of closures across the UK.

His fury has led to councillors agreeing to write to the bank to express their anger and disappointment at the decision, with councillors also insisting that efforts must be made to ensure that the town has more ATMs available to residents and visitors in the town.

The decision by Barclays to close the Machynlleth branch was met with dismay in the town and Cllr Jones criticised the bank for trying to justify the decision by using statistics showing that footfall had reduced and that more and more people were turning to internet and phone banking.

Cllr Jones hit out saying that no statistics had been provided to show the impact that closing the branch would have.

He said: “Barclays have made no assessment or mention of the impact of closing the branch on the community.

“I am disgusted and disappointed with Barclays for not attempting to approach or discuss it with Machynlleth Town Council or the people of this town.”

While the town council will write a letter to Barclays expressing their unhappiness, councillors also said they must battle to ensure there are more cash machines in the town.

Cllr Monica Atkins asked councillors to support efforts to ensure there are more ATMs saying it was “vitally important people have access to ready money”.

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