Barclays customers in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Tywyn and Barmouth have suffered a “double blow” after it was announced they would no longer be able to take cash out at the Post Office.

Following the closure of the bank’s branches, Barclays said customers would still be able to use the Post Office for their banking needs, but have now announced it will remove cash withdrawal services from 8 January next year.

Dwyfor Meirionydd MP Liz Saville Roberts said the decision was “unjustifiable” and that Barclays had “let people down”.

“Banking services provided by the Post Office for high street bank customers are a lifeline for many of my constituents who have had to deal with banks abandoning our towns in recent years,” she said.

“As a consequence of local bank closures, the Post Office plays a vital part in financial inclusion – fast becoming the most accessible and secure place for handling financial transactions, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“Barclays is the only bank to scrap over-the-counter cash withdrawals at Post Office branches. This unjustifiable decision to stop customers accessing their own money is a deeply flawed move."

Barclays said it was “focusing its investment into free-to use ATMs and cash-back at businesses as the most efficient way for cash withdrawals”, which is “reducing related reliance on the Post Office”.

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