A DEAL has been agreed for new tenants to move into the last branch of Barclays to shut in Powys.

Builth Wells Post Office will move into Crown Buildings, formerly the home of Barclays in the town, after the bank closed its doors in March.

The post office and convenience store, which operate from the same property, will now move one door down Builth’s Broad Street, with a relocation date to be decided.

High Street Stores & Builth Wells Post Office first announced its intentions to take over the former bank building in February, following Barclays’ revelation that it was shutting its remaining Powys branch.

Owners hope they can expand and enhance the current services offered. A consultation period ended on March 21, with a potential move next door now likely to take place next month.

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“Post Office Ltd has agreed to relocate Builth Wells Post Office to a new, nearby, location - Crown Buildings (currently Barclays Bank),” said a spokesperson for the organisation.

“We’re currently making the final arrangements for the move and will then announce the relocation date.

“An opportunity arose to relocate the branch into larger nearby premises to expand the retail area of the store.

“The move will help secure continued access to Post Office services locally and ensuring the Post Office’s long-term viability for the community.

“The premises will undergo a refurbishment to incorporate Builth Wells Post Office and a convenience store.

“Customers will access Post Office services at two Post Office serving points alongside the retail counter.”

Builth Post Office will offer the same range of products and services. Its opening hours will remain from Monday to Saturday, 8am-10pm; Sunday 10am-2pm.

During consultation, customers welcomed and supported the move because the new location is located next door and offers level access to Post Office services.

County Times: Builth Wells Post Office will move into Crown Buildings, formerly the home of Barclays in the town. Credit Google Street View Builth Wells Post Office will move into Crown Buildings, formerly the home of Barclays in the town. Credit Google Street View (Image: Matt Jones/Google Street View)

“In this case, the postmaster has identified an opportunity to move Builth Wells Post Office into an alternative location to continue to offer Post Office services to the local community,” Sarah Cottrell, network provision manager for Post Office Limited, said previously.

“Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer term and the postmaster firmly believes that the move would help secure continued access to Post Office services locally, as well as supporting the viability of their business.”

Barclays said the closure of the bank was due to a drop in use, adding that less than 40 regular customers used it exclusively for their banking.

The closure, announced in December, means the closest Barclays branches to Powys are in Hereford and Carmarthen.

The banking giant has introduced a new compensatory Barclays Local service, which operates from Builth’s Strand Hall on Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm.

High Street Stores & Builth Wells Post Office offers cash withdrawals, cash deposits, banking cheques, household bills and gas and electric.