Narberth Rallies to Fight Back After High Street Loses Its Last Cashpoints

Narberth has been left without a functioning high street cashpoint after two ATMs were taken out of service, sparking a community campaign to have free-to-use machines restored before the summer tourism season reaches its peak.

The closures mean the popular Pembrokeshire market town now has no remaining ATM on the High Street itself. One public cash machine does exist outside CK's supermarket on Spring Gardens, and over-the-counter withdrawals remain possible at Narberth Post Office on the High Street — but only during branch opening hours and subject to the customer's bank.

Henry Tufnell MP and Councillor Marc Tierney have warned that the town has been left with just one machine, raising concerns for residents, visitors and local businesses — noting that Post Office access is restricted to working hours and is unavailable for much of the weekend and on bank holidays.

The situation has attracted particular attention over how the official cash-access assessment has been drawn up. Among the alternatives listed by assessors are banks in Haverfordwest, Post Offices in Narberth and nearby communities, an ATM at the Co-op in Kilgetty, and a cash machine at Folly Farm — yet campaigners argue the assessment does not reflect the practical difficulties for those who cannot easily travel, pointing out that the Folly Farm machine sits within the paid visitor area, where standard adult admission costs £29.

Campaigners say the loss of the High Street machines is causing particular hardship for older residents, people who do not bank online, visitors and local businesses that depend on customers being able to withdraw cash nearby. One local resident noted that a bus round trip from Narberth to Kilgetty can take up to three hours — a journey described as very demanding for elderly people.

An urgent survey was launched to gather evidence before the window to challenge the access-to-cash assessment closes. The MP has pledged to keep pressing the issue at a national level. Henry Tufnell said he will continue engaging with constituents, local businesses, the council, the cash-access network LINK and colleagues in Parliament to secure better banking access across the county.

Councillor Tierney previously called for LINK to carry out an access-to-cash assessment for Narberth as soon as possible, and has said he is pleased those calls were listened to and that a review of cash access will be carried out. Both he and the MP have urged people with relevant experiences to continue making their voices heard as the review process gets under way.