Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, invited Post Office management to meet with him this week (Monday 6th August) to discuss how the Post Office can support residents following the imminent closure of Barclays Bank in September, the last remaining bank in Machynlleth to close its doors.
Following the meeting, Mr George said:
"I was pleased that Post Office management agreed to come to Machynlleth to discuss the banking services which it can offer to fill the gap which has been left by the closure of the last remaining bank in the town.
"We have seen high street bank branches close right across Mid Wales and I was pleased that local county councillors and representatives from Machynlleth Town Council, Glantwymyn Community Council and Llanbrynmair Community Council were also involved in this meeting, at which the Post Office outlined the services which it provides.
"The Post Office is unable to offer all of the services which a bank provides, but it does offer more services than people realise from processing bill payments, ordering foreign currency and even dealing with personal and business banking transactions of virtually all banks.
"It's often unnecessary for people to travel many miles passed the nearest post office to the nearest bank especially given the Post Office's convenient opening hours.
"I think using the Post Office as a one stop shop could also make local Post Offices more sustainable and I was pleased that Post Office management committed to looking at what other services it may be able to provide in the future.
"They also agreed to look at concerns relating to queuing, staffing hours and signage especially when Post Office facilities are housed in convenience stores such as in the Spar in Machynlleth.
"I would also like to thank council colleagues for taking part in this positive meeting. It should also be said that there was praise for the staff that work at the Spar and Post Office in Machynlleth for how helpful they are.”