Call for views on bank closure plans

REGIONAL MS Suzy Davies is urging businesses and residents who use the Barclays Bank branch at Bridgend Industrial Estate to contact her with their views on its proposed closure.

Barclays has announced that the branch will close on February 26 next year because the number of counter transactions has declined, with only 37 customers using it exclusively to do their banking.

Ms Davies, Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales West, said: “I need to get behind these figures to find out how businesses on the industrial estate will be affected by the closure especially with things like banking takings and getting change for cash customers.

“Also, there must be residents in Coychurch and Brackla, as well as further afield, who use the branch in preference to the one in Bridgend town centre because it is easier to reach and there are parking facilities.

“Thanks to Bridgend’s pedestrianisation, people cannot get anywhere near the town centre bank by car and for those who find it difficult to walk far, that branch is hopeless.”

She added: “I feel that Barclays need to understand the consequences of their decision for people who are elderly and disabled in particular.

“Welsh Conservatives have campaigned for years to get Dunraven Place opened up to traffic as traders have asked us to do.

“But so far the council has failed to do so, citing lack of funding. However, they managed to secure £10m to pedestrianise it in the first place.

“I believe that Barclays is the last bank available at this location.”

Ms Davies can be contacted at suzy. davies@senedd.wales