MACHYNLLETH’S county councillor has vowed to continue fighting the “appalling proposal” to close the town’s NatWest branch in October.

The announcement that NatWest wants to close the Machynlleth branch was greeted with shock, as it leaves Machynlleth with only one bank open for three days a week, as well as the town’s post office.

That led to Cllr Michael Williams, who is being returned unopposed as the town’s Powys county councillor, to write to NatWest insisting that the closure would be disastrous for the town and pledging to continue to fight against the proposal.

A public meeting was also held in Machynlleth on Tuesday, 18 April, about the closure of the branch, with an online petition launched, which other 240 people have signed so far.

Cllr Williams said: “Many people will feel betrayed after moving their accounts from HSBC when it closed in June of last year.

“I understand that an increase in digital banking has been cited as the reason for this proposal. However, for whatever reason, there are many people who do not want to turn to online banking.

“They have made it quite clear that the need for permanent over-the-counter facilities is as strong as ever.

“Indeed, the proposed closure will have a serious impact on the most vulnerable people, and have a devastating effect on Machynlleth’s town centre; also, small businesses and charities will be seriously disadvantaged.”

In a response to Cllr Williams, Catrin Davies, the west Wales CEO for NatWest, said that residents in the town would still be able to use the post office and a NatWest mobile bank which will visit the town on Monday for an hour, along with community banking officers that will hold events in the town.

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