DWYFOR and Meirionnydd’s MP has blasted “self-serving” HSBC offi­cials after they stated the decision to close banks in her constituency was ‘final’.

Liz Saville Roberts has requested an urgent meeting with HSBC bosses to discuss the bank’s intention to close branches in Barmouth, Tywyn and Blaenau Ffestiniog, despite fierce opposition from local people across the region.

An online and paper petition calling on HSBC to reconsider its decision and to consult widely with the communities affected by the proposed closures has so far received over 600 signatures.

However, despite the outpour of concern surrounding the branch closures, in reply to a letter from Mrs Saville Roberts criticising the closures, HSBC said it would not reconsider the decision.

She has accused the high street bank of failing its customers and described the bank’s methods of communicating the closures to its customers as “self-serving”.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “I’m bitterly disappointed that HSBC are refusing to reconsider their decision to close three of their branches in my constituency, in particular Blaenau Ffestiniog, which now faces losing its last remaining bank."

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News