A CASH machine will be available to residents in Presteigne once the Radnorshire town’s last high street bank closes next year.

However, Lloyds is remaining non-committal on whether a new machine will be available to locals 24 hours a day.

Town representatives say they have been assured that a LINK cashpoint will be put in place in the town when Lloyds closes its Hereford Street branch on March 3 next year.

Lloyds has now confirmed the closure date, after customers initially discovered details via the Presteigne Notice Board Facebook page rather than the bank itself in late June.

Beverley Baynham, Presteigne county councillor, said on July 17: “I have been speaking to a representative from Lloyds bank and I have received email confirming a commitment to providing a LINK cash machine.

“I realise the bank will still close but at least we will have a cash machine. Realistically, we are not going to save it and keep it open.

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“Banks are closing all over the country and Knighton, a larger town, has had no banks for a long time. In all honesty we've been lucky to hang on to it for as long as we have.

“That said, we need to focus our efforts on solutions. We need a cashpoint separate to the Post Office, that is accessible 24/7, and we need a direct bus service to Leominster so people, such as the older person who doesn't drive, can access face to face banking services if they wish to.

“That is what I am trying to do.”

Presteigne and Norton Town Council on its Facebook page: “The town council has been formally notified by the bank that the branch will be closing in March 2025,” said Presteigne and Norton Town Council on its Facebook page on July 19.

“It has been assured that a LINK cashpoint will be in place and the town council is stressing the need for this to have 24-hour access and has asked for more information on this and on the proposed location.”

The nearest ATMs available to residents from next March will now be 4 miles away in Knighton or 5 miles away in Kington.

Lloyds did say it will be working with industry partners to provide an ATM in Presteigne.

“As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Presteigne branch have fallen over recent years,” said a spokesperson.

“The local Post Office on the high street offers everyday banking and customers can also manage their money through our mobile banking apps, online, by calling us or speaking to a community banker.”

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Local customers were left angry, especially after revealing they had not been informed directly of the impending closure by their bank.

One unhappy customer, who has had a Lloyds account in Presteigne for over 40 years, labelled it a “disgrace” and said it indicated how little Lloyds cares about its customers.

Another described the news as “a great loss for the town”.

Lloyds said Presteigne Post Office, a three-minute walk away at 41 High Street, offers personal and business customers everyday banking services, access to cash, paying in of cheques and more.

After the branch closes Lloyds says it will have a community banker visit the area, who will offer face to face targeted support for as long as the community needs it.

Those unable to use online banking, however, will find little comfort in knowing that Leominster is the nearest town with a bank still operational – and for anyone who doesn’t drive, there is no direct bus service.