A high street that had been left without a cashpoint has now had its third ATM installed.
Barclays and HSBC closed their Prestatyn branches last year removing the final two ATMs on the High Street.
Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies started a public campaign to press for the reintroduction of free cash machines.
He asked the town’s Principality Building Society Branch Manager Debbie Luke whether she could help.
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Now Principality Building Society has installed an ATM machine in its Prestatyn branch - joining other new ATMs at Jenny’s (130 High Street), and at nearby Meliden Road Post Office.
Debbie Luke said: “It is important that our members and the community of Prestatyn have free access to cash machines in the town. We have listened to what our members have told us, and already we have had so much positive feedback from people using the cash machine, saying it is so convenient having it here. It makes life a lot easier for people who prefer to use cash when they do their shopping on the high street.
“Our presence on the high streets in North Wales are a key part of what we offer as a member-owned building society. We have just refurbished our branch, and the organisation will continue to invest in branches to meet the needs of our members. Our branches are more than just a place to deposit and withdraw money for so many in our community. They are a place where people like to chat and have a cup of tea, get to know one another, build relationships. We have built a lot of trust with our members over the years, and we will continue to work hard to give them a positive experience.”
Principality has the largest high street brand presence of any bank or building society in Wales with 53 branches and 16 agencies across Welsh high streets and the border. Whilst many towns across Wales have seen a decline in banking services available to them, Principality made clear commitment earlier this year to continue to support the high street by promising not to close any of its branches for the next four years.
Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies said: “When it became clear in January of last year that Barclays and HSBC were to close their Prestatyn branches, and remove the final two ATMs in the High Street, I asked the town’s Principality Building Society Branch Manager Debbie Luke whether she could help. She kindly got in touch with the society to try to move forward with plans for a new external cash machine on their premises.
“Shortly afterwards, I liaised with cash machine network company LINK, as well as ATM providers, including Notemachine, Cardtronics, PayPoint and YourCash. I also contacted local shops, encouraging them to consider hosting a cashpoint, and worked with the Town Council over other potential approaches.
“In October, I launched a public campaign to see the reintroduction of cash machines in Prestatyn High Street. The aims of that campaign have now well and truly been met, with new free-to-use Cardtronics machines at Principality Building Society, at Jenny’s (130 High Street), and at Meliden Road Post Office.
“Cash is still important for many residents and companies, especially the independent businesses in Prestatyn town centre, and the new machine at Principality is extremely welcome. I am confident it will be well-used and I now plan to continue my efforts to secure a new banking hub for the town.”
