With Prestatyn set to lose every bank in the town later this year, Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has questioned the UK Government over actions to protect banking facilities in high streets.
James raised the matter with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP, in the House of Commons yesterday, highlighting the situation in Prestatyn.
He said:
"With Prestatyn facing the imminent closure of TSB, Barclays and HSBC, and following on from the loss of NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland in recent years, the town’s high street will be left without a single bank or cash machine, despite being a regional shopping centre. Can my right hon. Friend outline what conversations he is holding with major banks to ensure an adequate and fair distribution of banking facilities in high streets across the UK?"
The Secretary of State agreed that protecting access to cash for the most vulnerable in society, including those in smaller towns, villages and rural areas, is important.
He added:
"My right hon Friend the Chancellor has committed to doing just that and ensuring that the infrastructure that supports cash is sustainable in the long term, including proposals that would see cashback offered at shops without consumers having to make a purchase."
Speaking afterwards, James said:
"I was very pleased to hear that the UK Government is working to ensure that people, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable, will be able to access cash easily in the future in the absence of banks.
"However, it is not just about accessing cash. Many in Prestatyn are concerned about losing other services that banks provide.
"Whilst I appreciate that the majority of people now choose to do their banking online, a substantial number of my constituents still prefer to do things in person and are greatly worried that they will be unable to do this when all the banks have closed in Prestatyn later this year. Businesses are also concerned about the impact of the closures on their day-to-day operations.
"As I have previously said, if banks are adamant on closing, then they need to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are available to their customers. The loss of every single bank for a town with the size, demographics and shopping facilities of Prestatyn is extremely disappointing.
"I will continue putting pressure on the banking sector to work together to look at the needs of the people of Prestatyn."
