THERE are fears Machynlleth could soon be left without a bank after residents were left feeling “let down” following the closure of NatWest.

The town has gone from having three banks — HSBC, NatWest and Barclays — to just one, Barclays, following the closure of NatWest earlier this month.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Cllr Mike Williams said he now fears that the reduction in January of opening hours at Barclays could signal a move to close the branch altogether, as has happened in Llanidloes, leaving the town without a bank.

“It is really urgent that Barclays stays in Machynlleth,” he said.

“Will there be a further reduction to two days a week, and then will there be another step? The worry is that we will end up with no bank at all.

“Some towns have lost all their banking facilities, which is a very big worry. The smaller towns are getting less and less services, which is a huge worry for people.”

A spokesperson for Barclays told the Cambrian News: “There are no immediate plans to reduce opening hours or close our Machynlleth branch, although our branch network is constantly under review.”

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