News

Fishguard: Planned Barclays closure will leave town without a bank

Published

7 years ago

February 2, 2018

THE LAST bank in Fishguard will close its doors on May 18 for the final time, The Pembrokeshire Herald has learned.

Barclays Bank plc will shut its branch only days before the St Davids branch will also be consigned to the history books, on May 24.

The bank has blamed the use of the internet, banking apps and general fall in the numbers of customers using the branches, but politicians and community leaders have been concerned that the closures did not take into consideration the need of businesses and the elderly.

Stephanie Smith, Barclays Community Banking Director, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At Barclays Fishguard branch, customer usage has continued to decline, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it. Fishguard transactional volumes have declined 22 per cent within the last 24 months.

“We hope that the availability of our other Barclays branches at Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Narberth and access to banking services at the local Post Office currently located at 57, West St, Fishguard.

“Along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”

Recently both local conservative and Plaid politicians have been meeting with Natwest Bank who are also in the process of shutting local branches.

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Simon Thomas has written to Barclays Bank asking them to think again over the proposals. Mid and West AM Simon Thomas told The Herald: “I’m written to Barclays Bank asking them to reconsider these closures.

“Plaid Cymru in Westminster has called for an improvement in the law to ensure high street banks consult effectively with the local community over closures.

“Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts has called for changes to protect the last bank in town. We are now seeing often in our communities towns left without one bank.

“We cannot have a gap in the banking services available to rural and urban Wales. The Labour Government in Cardiff Bay should do more to promote alternatives to banks like credit unions.”

“A report on banking in Wales last year identified problems with lending to small and medium sized businesses, automation has made banks more geographically and operationally distant from small businesses.

“Bank closures contribute to this problem according to the Federation of Small Businesses. I’ve asked Barclays what measures they intend to take to mitigate this if they go ahead with closures.”

Many HSBC and Lloyds branches have already closed in Pembrokeshire, including in the county’s most populated down, Milford Haven.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

10 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.