Catrin Wager, the Plaid Cymru candidate for the next general election, has written an open letter to Barclays Bank asking them to reconsider their decision to close the Bangor Branch on the 10 May 2024. She is inviting residents who are concerned by the decision to sign the letter.

She explains: “This decision is a real blow.  High street branches are vital for many.  They are essential for residents who are not able to access online services and for those who need face to face support.  In Bangor, this is valuable to so many people; from older residents who may not feel comfortable with online services, to international students who arrive for the first time and need support with their banking.”

“They are also vital for businesses in the city.  From market traders to pubs and cafes, lots of people still trade in cash for which banking services are essential.”

Chris Jere owns multiple businesses in the city and has banked with Barclays for over 10 years. He states:

“While there has been a shift from cash to cards since Covid, a lot of people still prefer to use cash, and as a business, it’s essential that we have local services where we can bank the cash we take and get change.  We’ve been told we’ll have to do this through the Post Office and will likely have to order change a day or two in advance, which just isn’t feasible.

“I’ve remained a customer of Barclays because they provide services in the city, and from going into branch you can see how essential these services are for our residents, older residents in particular.  If the closure of the branch in Bangor goes ahead, we will have move to a bank who still operate within the city.  Moving accounts as a business isn’t easy, as we have payroll and supplier accounts set up on our system. But I feel this is a step we need to take unless Barclays reverse their decision.”

Catrin is also concerned that this decision also affects a wider area, as she states.

“Barclays have already closed branches in Caernarfon, Porthmadog Holyhead and Llangefni, meaning that Bangor was the last branch open in Gwynedd and Anglesey.  This is devastating for local jobs, but it also means that a huge area now is unable to access branch services. 

“It’s a 40-mile round trip from Bangor to the nearest branch in Llandudno, and for those from Western Gwynedd and Anglesey it’s so much more.  We all know that there are times when you just need to have a conversation with someone as online systems or automated phone messages aren’t suitable for your issue. Having to travel such long distances to access this local service simply isn’t fair.”

Catrin has written an open letter to Barclays and is asking residents who are concerned by this decision to sign it.  She says:

“Anyone who is concerned by this can put their name to the letter, so that we can put pressure on Barclays to reverse this decision. The more signatures we get, the louder our voice, and the more chance there is they will listen.”

The letter can be found at Save Barclays Bangor – sign our open letter (partyof.wales).  The text of the letter reads:

“Dear Barclays Bank, 

We the undersigned are writing to express our concern about the closure of the branch in Bangor, Gwynedd.  

It is a vital resource for many not only in Bangor but in a wide geographical area and is used to by local businesses, market traders and students (both local and international) and residents.  It is a lifeline for those who need to work in cash, those who are unable to access online services and those who simply need face to face support. 

Since Barclays branches in Llangefni, Caernarfon and Porthmadog closed, the Bangor branch has served a wide area, and is the only high street branch left in Gwynedd and Anglesey.  

Losing this branch will mean not only that Bangor residents will face a 40-mile round trip to access branch services, but those on Anglesey or Western Gwynedd will face far more. 

We, the undersigned, are writing to ask you to reconsider this decision. Please keep it open.”