Harlech - a quaint seaside resort in north-west Wales - has no free ATMs at all, despite the fact that many of its businesses are cash-only.
Harlech struggles with connectivity issues, so card transactions simply aren’t as reliable as cash payments.
Up until recently, residents could withdraw money from the town’s Post Office which was located at the local SPAR. But that’s now closed down, leaving locals with no way of accessing cash without paying a fee.
As well as being a considerable inconvenience for locals, the lack of available cash in Harlech has also meant that businesses are suffering, as people are shopping elsewhere instead.
In Lower Harlech, where most of the residents live, the only ATM available charges £1.75, which many people are struggling to pay. Harlech is just one example of a community that simply isn't ready to go cashless.
Two months later, and after an application for a free ATM was made using the Which? tool, LINK announced that Harlech would be getting a cashpoint. However it isn't clear exactly when the ATM will be installed. It’s likely to take months, and with Harlech’s crucial summer season just two months away, things need to be in place as quickly as possible.
While it's not a long-term solution, plugging immediate gaps in access to cash is vital for towns like Harlech. If your community needs better access to cash, use our tool to let LINK know and request an ATM
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