Fighting for a Banking Hub in Fishguard

Fishguard has lost all its high street bank branches, leaving residents and businesses without a dedicated place to speak to their bank face to face. For those who need services beyond basic cash transactions, this can mean travelling to Haverfordwest or Cardigan, where the choice of banks is also limited.

The Preseli Liberal Democrat team is calling for a Banking Hub in Fishguard, bringing essential banking services back into the heart of our community.

While more people are banking online, not everyone can or wants to. Older residents, people without reliable internet access and those who simply prefer speaking to someone in person should not be left behind.

And for our independent businesses, charities and community organisations, access to banking services is an important part of keeping our local economy thriving.

What is a Banking Hub?

🏦 A Banking Hub brings several major banks together under one roof, allowing customers to access essential services without needing a separate branch for every bank.

Banking Hubs typically provide:

💷 Cash withdrawals and deposits – Pay in or withdraw cash and cheques, with services for personal and business customers.

🤝 Face-to-face banking – Speak to representatives from participating banks on designated days.

🏪 Support for local businesses – Access cash deposits, change and other everyday banking services.

🤔 Help with banking questions – Get support with accounts, payments and online banking from a real person.

These shared facilities are already operating in communities across the UK, offering an alternative where traditional bank branches have closed.

Why does Fishguard need one?

Losing our banks affects far more than just where people withdraw their money. It makes everyday life harder for residents and businesses across our area. We believe a Banking Hub is needed to:

🚗 Reduce how far people have to travel for banking – Residents who need to visit their bank may have to travel to Haverfordwest or Cardigan, adding time and expense to something that should be straightforward.

👵 Support older and vulnerable residents – Not everyone is comfortable banking online, and some people need additional help managing their finances.

🛍️ Back independent businesses – Local traders need convenient access to banking services to help them manage their businesses.

💻 Prevent digital exclusion – Poor internet connections, accessibility needs and a lack of digital confidence can make online banking difficult.

🏘️ Protect our town centre – Bringing banking services back could encourage more people to visit Fishguard, supporting nearby shops and businesses.

Where could a Banking Hub go?

We already have some options in fishguard that could potentially accommodate a Banking Hub.

Fishguard Post Office provides some everyday banking services, but a dedicated Banking Hub could offer more, including the opportunity to speak directly to representatives from participating banks. A lot of Banking Hubs are hosting in local Post Offices.

Another possibility is Fishguard Town Hall, particularly if the proposed Community Asset Transfer (CAT) goes ahead, bringing the building into Town Council ownership. With the potential to make greater use of the Town Hall for the benefit of the community, a Banking Hub could be an exciting addition alongside its existing facilities.

Both options, as well as many others, would need to be explored with the owners and the organisations responsible for delivering Banking Hubs, but they show how we could make better use of the facilities we already have.

What are we calling for?

The Preseli Liberal Democrats want to see:

✔️ A Banking Hub established in Fishguard, providing essential face-to-face services for residents and businesses.

✔️ A formal assessment of local banking needs, taking into account the loss of bank branches and the difficulties residents face travelling elsewhere.

✔️ Suitable local premises explored, including the Post Office and Town Hall.

✔️ Residents and businesses involved in the process, ensuring that any new facility meets the needs of the community.

We believe that residents deserve convenient access to essential banking services, without having to travel miles to get them.