Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams has confirmed where the proposed Bank Hub in Welshpool will be located and when it would be opening.

According to a letter from Mr Williams to the County Times, the hub will be housed in the former Lloyds Bank building on Broad Street, subject to on lease signing, with a soft launch planned for July this year.

The facility, run by LINK and Cash Access UK who are responsible for the UK’s ATM network and access to cash services, aims to bring a means to provide town residents with access to over the counter banking services following the departure of Lloyds, Barclays and Natwest.

The hub will be the first of its kind in Wales when it opens.

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Mr Williams said: “This is fantastic news for Welshpool and the surrounding areas, as it will be the first time all the major banks will have a presence within the town.

“Over recent months I have been in constant discussions with both LINK and Cash Access UK, who are responsible for delivering the facility.

“Their long-term commitment to providing shared banking facilities for 5 days a week remains absolutely rock solid.

“I continue to work closely with the project managers and local authorities to ensure any remaining administrative hurdles are cleared as quickly as possible.”

In April it was announced that the hub would not meet its planned opening window, siting issues with finding a permanent location, but maintained throughout that development of the hub was still underway.

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Mr Williams added: “I too am also disappointed that we haven’t been able to open the Banking Hub at a faster pace, and I absolutely know how needed this facility is for the town following the closure of both Barclays and Lloyds.

“Unfortunately, their plans had been delayed by several conveyancing issues on previously identified town centre locations, all of which have been beyond their control. I am assured these are now solved.

“But I also want to be positive about Welshpool’s high street and the investment which is being delivered to the town.

“The Hub will provide a huge boost to local businesses in having easy access to banking services.”