Member of the Senedd for the Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies MS, has announced a significant development in the ongoing campaign to restore essential banking services to Denbigh. Gareth undertook the legwork with data and constituent feedback collated and submitted to LINK which led to LINK agreeing to reassess the town's eligibility for a banking hub, with a decision expected within the month.
Denbigh has faced a series of bank closures in recent years, including HSBC, Halifax, NatWest, and Barclays, leaving residents and local businesses without in-person banking facilities. The nearest alternative branches are located in Ruthin and Rhyl, requiring considerable travel which is particularly challenging for those reliant on public transport, or with restricted mobility.
In a recent meeting with LINK's UK assessor, Allan Lewis, Gareth presented comprehensive local data, highlighting discrepancies in previous assessments. His research emphasised Denbigh's rural economy, lower average incomes, and the community's reliance on cash transactions. Mr Lewis acknowledged that Gareth's detailed analysis and constituent feedback provided compelling reasons to reevaluate Denbigh's case for a banking hub.
The reassessment process will consider various factors, including the number of cash-dependent retailers, accessibility of existing Post Office facilities, and public transportation challenges. Mr Lewis's findings will undergo peer review and be submitted to LINK's internal panel, with a decision expected within the next month.
Following the meeting, Gareth Davies MS commented:
"This is a significant step forward for Denbigh, and I appreciate LINK's willingness to revisit their assessment and consider the detailed information we've provided.
"Ensuring access to banking services is vital for our residents and local businesses and I remain committed to seeing this through.
"Our community deserves accessible banking services, and I will continue to advocate for solutions that meet the needs of residents in Denbigh and the surrounding villages.”