Talks held over future of banking services in Machynlleth

The last bank in Machynlleth, Barclays is set to close in September, and residents have been concerned about how they're going to be doing their banking.

Now AM Russell George and other politicians have met with Post Office officials to discuss alternatives in the area.

He said: "I was pleased that Post Office management agreed to come to Machynlleth to discuss the banking services which it can offer to fill the gap which has been left by the closure of the last remaining bank in the town.

"We have seen high street bank branches close right across Mid Wales and I was pleased that local county councillors and representatives from Machynlleth Town Council, Glantwymyn Community Council and Llanbrynmair Community Council were also involved in this meeting, at which the Post Office outlined the services which it provides.

"The Post Office is unable to offer all of the services which a bank provides, but it does offer more services than people realise from processing bill payments, ordering foreign currency and even dealing with personal and business banking transactions of virtually all banks.

"It's often unnecessary for people to travel many miles passed the nearest post office to the nearest bank especially given the Post Office's convenient opening hours.

"I think using the Post Office as a one stop shop could also make local Post Offices more sustainable and I was pleased that Post Office management committed to looking at what other services it may be able to provide in the future.

Mid Wales, like other areas in the region, has suffering a host of bank closures with many residents in towns having to travel miles to access facilities.