A double boost could be on the way for residents of Harlech who have been left with no free-to-use cash machines.

Harlech has just two cash machines and both of them charge users to withdraw money.

To access a free cash machine, Harlech residents must travel 10 kilometres to Penrhyndeudraeth. Their nearest bank is 10 miles away in Porthmadog.

The situation was compounded with the closure of the town’s Post Office in July, in a blow to businesspeople who need to use postal services.

But now a pop-up Post Office could open in the town, offering postal services and free access to cash.

And in another boost for the town, a free-to-use cash machine could also be installed in the new year.

Thanks to the efforts of concerned councillor Freya Bentham, working alongside Carol Williams, a change manager for the Post Office, there are plans to set up a temporary service on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

They have identified two potential sites for the pop-up Post Office, both of which are on the High Street.

And the cash machine company LINK has also announced that it is hoping to get a free ATM up and running in Harlech in the new year.

Cllr Bentham told the Cambrian News: “It does look like we will have a temporary solution until a permanent Post Office solution is found.

“Although it would only be two mornings a week, it means Harlech residents will have access to a Post Office. This is particularly important for the elderly and people who cannot drive.”

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