Barclays Bank Closure Prompts Review of Banking Arrangements in Haverfordwest

Barclays Bank Closure Sparks Concern in Haverfordwest

The recent announcement of the closure of Barclays Bank on the town’s High Street has sparked concerns among residents and local officials in Haverfordwest. The council, which has had a banking services contract with Barclays since 2013, is now faced with the task of finding a suitable alternative for banking services in the town.

Councillor Huw Murphy raised the issue at a recent meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, calling for a review of the council’s banking arrangements in light of the closure. He emphasized the impact of the closure on town centers, businesses, and particularly on the elderly, who may not be as comfortable with online banking options.

Barclays has assured residents that they are not leaving Haverfordwest entirely and will continue to provide face-to-face support through community locations. However, the council is exploring options to ensure continued access to banking services in the town.

Two options were presented to the Cabinet: to retender the banking services contract or to work with Barclays to set up a community location in Haverfordwest. The latter option, which involves setting up community banking at County Hall on certain days of the week, seems to be the preferred choice due to the potential high costs associated with changing service providers.

Members of the Cabinet expressed their support for the community banking initiative and highlighted the importance of working with banks to ensure continued access to banking services in the town. The agreement to use ground floor rooms at County Hall for community banking is seen as a positive step forward in mitigating the impact of the closure.

While the closure of Barclays Bank may pose challenges for residents and businesses in Haverfordwest, the proactive approach taken by the council in addressing the issue is commendable. By working with Barclays and exploring alternative options for community banking, the council is taking steps to ensure that residents continue to have access to essential banking services in the town.