Welshpool’s mayor said both he and staff at the town’s banking hub seem to be “in the dark” over when a cashpoint will be installed.

Since the Welshpool Bank Hub opened on broad Street in November 2023, town residents had been assured that an ATM will be installed at the building to bring a cash machine back to Welshpool’s high street.

At a meeting of the town council, Welshpool mayor Cllr Phil Owen gave a report on his attempts to find out why one still hasn’t arrived.

He said: “We and residents have expressed concerns about the hub, namely that the ATM we’ve been promised hasn’t appeared. I’ve heard various excuses for why that isn’t the case. Mostly that it’s been held up by a planning application.

"Staff at the branch were helpful when I asked but seemed to be just as much in the dark as I was.”

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Concerns have also been raised over the hub’s lack of disabled access, which is reportedly linked to the lack of an ATM at the facility.

Cllr Owen added: “Highways need to put in a ramp, and the ATM machine was supposed to go where the old one would but now there are worries that might impede the pedestrian access and this planned ramp.

“The planning department have no application in front of them and nothing pending, but were able to give me the contact at CashAccessUK, who are dealing with the whole thing.

“Apparently the whole issue is still with their design department, who need to draw up plans that will meet the requirements of both the highways and planning department, so nothing has been put to them yet.

“I’ve expressed my concerns, the concerns of this council and the concerns of the townspeople.

“They say they’ll keep me informed and updated on what’s going on and are aware of the concern in the town and will report back regularly. So hopefully it will be resolved before too long.”

The town’s former mayor agreed with its current one, as Cllr Nick Howells was “annoyed” both for Welshpool residents and for staff at the hub.

He said: “I’m annoyed as I use the banking hub as a cashpoint and know some staff. They’ve received some verbal abuse due to the lack of a ramp and cashpoint which is obviously nothing to do with them.”