ANGER was expressed over the planned closure of the NatWest bank in Lampeter at a public meeting held at the town’s rugby club.

Arranged by FUW Ceredigion and Plaid Cymru Ceredigion, and chaired by mayor Hag Harris, the aim of the meeting was to bring local residents and business owners together to discuss NatWest’s decision to close their Lampeter branch in June 2018, and to consider what the future holds for banking services in the town and surrounding rural communities in Ceredigion.

Having met with NatWest’s regional director on 8 December, Elin Jones AM provided and update about the provisions and alternative services that NatWest are proposing to implement in Lampeter, which includes a 45-minute weekly visit by a mobile bank. In response, residents were appalled, saying that a van can never replace real branches.

One possible solution supported by those in attendance was to centralise the town’s banking services whereby the banks would cooperate and provide services in one town centre hub.

Ben Lake MP said: “I will discuss issues, concerns and ideas raised in the meeting tonight with NatWest’s executives when I meet with them early in the new year in order to find a solution for the people and communities impacted by these changes.”

A petition against the closure has been launched by Plaid Cymru Ceredigion and can be found at www.elinjones.cymru/natwestbank.

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