Closures of Llandeilo's Barclays and Tumble and Ystradgynlais' Lloyds

In the latest lists of bank closures, it has been revealed that Barclays will close its Llandeilo branch and Lloyds will close its Tumble and Ystradgynlais branches later this year.

It is another blow for the valleys around Carmarthenshire as the Tumble closure means there will be no banks in the Gwendraeth Valley - and the closures for Llandeilo and Ystradgynlais mean both towns will be without banks.

Barclays said the decision to close the Llandeilo branch on June 23, 2023, comes as just 12 people regularly use the bank as their only source of banking.

Ystradgynlais’ Lloyds branch will close on September 19, 2023, with the bank saying there are 93 customers who regularly use the branch as their only means of banking.

Barclays in Llandeilo. (Image: Google Maps/Street View)

Tumble’s Lloyds branch will close on August 3, 2023. The bank said that there are 152 customers who regularly use the branch as their only form of banking.

The news follows recent closures in the past few years of a number of banks in the area including Barclays’ Ammanford (2021), Ystradgynlais (2018), Pontardawe (2018) and Llandovery (2019) branches and Ammanford’s HSBC branch in 2017.

Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr, said: “Barclays is the last bank in Llandeilo and its closure will have a massive effect on the rural community.

"Every town should have at least one functioning bank and I am deeply disappointed by this announcement.

“I have consistently argued for a different financial model to replace commercial banking. We need an alternative system based on community banks and strong credit unions rooted in their communities to challenge traditional banks.”

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said of the Ystradgynlais bank closure: “Yet another Powys town will be left without a bank.

"This time it isn’t even one of our smaller villages but the second largest town in the entire county with a population of over 8,000.

“This trend cannot continue. Banks need to recognise they have a duty to provide in-person services. Not everyone uses online banking, particularly in rural areas like Powys.

“I will be requesting a meeting with Lloyds Bank urgently to make my views known and raise the concerns of my constituents.”

Lloyds in Tumble. (Image: Google Maps/Street View)

James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: “This is disappointing news and a real blow to Ystradgynlais. Unfortunately, this is part of a wider trend, where we have seen towns lose all their banking services – from Hay-on-Wye in the East to Ystradgynlais in the West.

“I have asked to meet officials from Lloyds Bank to discuss this matter urgently. I want all customers to be supported, and to ensure that suitable arrangements are put in place for those unable to travel to the Pontardawe branch.

“If anyone has concerns about this closure, please email my office or call in at our surgery in the Library on the second Thursday morning of each month”.

Lloyds in Ystradgynlais (Image: Google Street View)

Llinos Mai Davies, county councillor for Llannon ward, said: “There’s no denying that the way people are banking is changing – however, bank branches on our high streets remain vital services for so many residents and local businesses.

“This is the last bank branch in the Gwendraeth Valley, and I am particularly concerned about the impact this closure is going to have on the elderly and vulnerable. I have written to Lloyds asking them to reconsider this decision.”

Cefin Campbell, MS for Mid & West Wales, said: “Closure of the Lloyds bank at Tumble is a further blow for Carmarthenshire residents and businesses.

“Communities across the county have already endured a disproportionately high number of bank closures - from Llandeilo last week, to previous closures in Ammanford and Cross Hands to name only a few.

“It’s increasingly clear the traditional banking system is failing our high streets and communities – with more and more customers being left high and dry.

“The Welsh Government have previously promised a Community Bank for Wales to step in where the multinational banks are failing our towns and villages. I will be pressing for urgent clarity of this development.”

What is set to happen for banking in these areas?

If customers of the Llandeilo branch need in-person banking, they will have to travel to Carmarthen or Llanelli but Mr Edwards is set to have a meeting later this month with finance company LINK about setting up a banking hub in Llandeilo for all customers of all main banks.

Lloyds has said that a community banker will visit both Tumble and Ystradgynlais for a short period of time following the closures to provide support and advice for its personal and business account holders.

The nearest Lloyds bank to Ystradgynlais is Pontardawe and Neath and the nearest to Tumble is Ammanford.