Temporary Banking Hub Opens in Ystradgynlais

A temporary banking hub has opened today (Friday 15th May) in The Welfare Ystradgynlais, following a successful campaign by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to bring banking services back to the town.

The banking hub will be temporarily located in The Welfare on Brecon Road in Ystradgynlais until a permanent home can be found for the hub in the town.

The hub will be open Monday–Thursday 09:00 – 17:00. The hub will also operate on Fridays once a bank fills the slot.

Currently, the rota for banking services will be:

• Mondays – Barclays
• Tuesdays – Santander
• Wednesdays – Lloyds
• Thursdays – HSBC

It is understood that NatWest are considering taking the slot on Fridays, subject to negotiations.

Ystradgynlais has been without a bank since September 2023 when Lloyds left the town, prompting the Welsh Lib Dems to run a two-year campaign for a banking hub.

Although the regulator – LINK, rejected an initial request for a banking hub made by David Chadwick MP, they later changed their mind following an appeal launched by the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

David Chadwick contested several aspects of data that had been used by the regulator and collected evidence from businesses, charities and clubs across the town on what impact the lack of cash services was having on them.

Thanks to these testimonials collected by David Chadwick, alongside the signatures collected by the Party, Chadwick was able to convince the regulators to approve the hub.

Today, at the opening of the temporary hub, David Chadwick and Jane Dodds MS presented a Ystradgynlais RFC Rugby jersey to the hub.

Commenting at the event, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

“Submitting the request for this banking hub was one of my first acts as your new MP and something I had campaigned for long before being elected.

“I’m delighted that the hard work we have put into this campaign has paid off and the town and wider area will be able to benefit from having banking services restored.

“I’d also like to particularly thank Ams from The Old Temp Fish Bar, who helped me gather evidence from other local businesses for the appeal case.

“I’d also like to say a massive thank you to everyone in the community who backed the campaign, this is a win for the whole town.”

Adding her comments Lib Dem Senedd Member Jane Dodds MS said:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to deliver such a vital project for Ystradgynlais after two hard years of campaigning.

“I’d like to thank all the local residents, businesses and clubs who supported our campaign, signed our petitions and provided us with the evidence we needed to make the case for the regulators.

“It goes to show that when you really fight for something, you can achieve positive changes.”

ENDS