A banking hub has opened in Ystradgynlais following a successful campaign by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to bring banking services back to the town.

The hub opened today (Thursday) at The Welfare on Brecon Road.

The banking hub will be located at The Welfare until a permanent home can be found in the town.

Customers of all major banks can visit the hub any weekday between 9am-5pm to carry out regular cash transactions including cash withdrawals and deposits as well as checking balances or paying bills. Additionally, the hub also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank in a private space about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub:

Monday: Barclays

Tuesday: Santander

Wednesday: Lloyds

Thursday: HSBC (coming soon)

Friday: No community banker available

Cash Access UK are hosting an information drop-in event on Wednesday, June 4 at Pictons, 2 Brecon Road, from 11am-1pm where representatives will be available to answer questions.

The initiative comes after Ystradgynlais was left without a bank in September 2023, when Lloyds closed its branch - the last in the town. The closure prompted concerns from local businesses and residents about access to cash and in-person banking services.

The Welsh Lib Dems then mounted a campaign to bring a shared banking hub to the area.

Although the regulator LINK rejected an initial request for a banking hub made by Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick, they later changed their mind following an appeal launched by the party.

Mr Chadwick challenged elements of the data used to assess the town’s eligibility and gathered evidence from businesses, charities and community groups highlighting the impact of the lack of banking services.

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

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

“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,” said Mr Chadwick.

“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.”

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds 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.”

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “I’m happy to announce that we have opened the new banking hub in Ystradgynlais, giving local residents renewed access to cash and in-person banking services. The hub is available for everyday banking transactions every day of the week, and for more specific or complex enquiries, a community banker will be on-site to assist on designated days.”