A NEW banking hub officially opened in Abergele yesterday (June 14).

The hub is located at 67 Market Street, the former home of Barclays Bank, and previously enjoyed a successful "soft opening" on June 7.

This will be a shared banking space; like a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone.

Barclays closed its branch in Abergele in late 2017, and is one of seven banks to have left the town.

Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West, attended and spoke at the official opening yesterday, having made requests to LINK, the UK's cash access and ATM network, for the hub.

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Mr Millar said: “It was a great pleasure to attend and speak at today’s official opening of this wonderful new facility in Abergele, which will be transformational to residents and businesses in the town and neighbouring villages.

“It has been greatly concerning to watch bank after bank close in Abergele in recent years.

“On each occasion, I challenged the banks over their decision, emphasising how much small local businesses and residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, depend on them. 

“Sadly, it was to no avail. Having heard about the success of banking hubs in towns in a similar position to Abergele, I made the request for one in the town centre.

“I was, therefore, thrilled when it was announced last year that the request had been successful and one would be opened in the old Barclays Bank building the following year.”

Cllr Alan Hunter in the new banking hubCllr Alan Hunter in the new banking hub (Image: Cllr Alan Hunter)

The hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

It also offers a community banker service, where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub.

Banks operating from the hub will be NatWest (Mondays), HSBC (Tuesdays), Santander (Wednesdays), Barclays (Thursdays), and Halifax (Friday).

Abergele is the fifth banking hub in Wales following openings in Welshpool, Prestatyn, Porthcawl and Treorchy.

Mr Millar said: “I know the banking hub which was opened in neighbouring Prestatyn last year has been a massive hit, being frequented  by local businesses as well as residents of all ages.

“I have every confidence that Abergele’s will be just as successful.

“It has been a pleasure working with LINK and Cash Access UK to secure the banking hub for Abergele, and I look forward to seeing it being well used by the public, who will be very much relieved that, from today, they no longer have to travel miles to do their banking.”

Gareth Oakley, chief executive at Cash Access UK, added: “We’re very pleased to open the hub in Abergele.

“We know how important access to cash and banking services are for people and businesses. I hope it makes a real difference to the high street.”

Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, added: "I am delighted to see this project come to fruition and I would like to offer my thanks to everyone involved.

"The opportunity for customers and businesses to have face-to-face meetings with their banks will be invaluable."

Cllr Alan Hunter, who represents the Pensarn ward, added: "The banking hub will be a very welcome addition to Abergele's high street.

"Abergele Post Office have done a great job of providing services to the public and our local businesses, and the opening of the banking hub will be a welcome addition and add to the offer of banking to the public and our businesses."