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MUMBLES: Banking Hub opens today — and Pembroke Dock confirmed for June

Banking services are returning to two more communities across south and west Wales – with Mumbles opening its new banking hub this morning and Pembroke Dock confirming its hub will open in early June.

The Mumbles Banking Hub opened its doors for the first time today at Unit 6, Castleton Walk Arcade, Newton Road, Mumbles, SA3 4AX.

The hub will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – with community bankers from Barclays attending on Wednesdays, Lloyds Banking Group on Thursdays and NatWest on Fridays. Monday and Tuesday schedules are still to be confirmed.

Mumbles County Councillor Will Thomas, who confirmed the opening, said it was great news for the community and described it as returning banking services to the village.

The Mumbles hub was first recommended last year after high street banking services continued to disappear from the area, leaving residents and businesses without face-to-face banking locally.

Meanwhile in Pembrokeshire, Pembroke Dock Town Council has confirmed that its new banking hub will be sited in Pembroke Dock library, with an opening date expected in early June.

The council said the exact opening date would be shared in due course and urged residents from across the county to make use of the service.

Banking hubs are a national initiative designed to replace lost high street bank branches with a shared facility, where customers of multiple banks can carry out everyday transactions and speak to their own bank’s community banker on a rotating schedule.

The model has been rolled out across south-west Wales in recent months – with Morriston, Gorseinon, Porthcawl and Ystradgynlais all receiving hubs following community campaigns.

Not every community that has applied for a hub has been successful. Plaid MS Sioned Williams challenged cash access company Link over Pontardawe’s exclusion from the programme – a decision that angered local campaigners.

Banking hubs are operated by Cash Access UK and are recommended by Link, the cash access network, following an assessment of local need.

The assessment takes into account the number of bank branch closures in an area, the availability of alternative cash access points, and the demographics of the local population.

Mumbles and Pembroke Dock both qualify on the grounds of multiple branch closures in recent years, leaving communities without convenient access to in-person banking services.

For Mumbles residents, the hub on Newton Road is open from today. No appointment is needed for general counter services.

For Pembroke Dock residents, further details on the opening date and schedule will be published by the town council in the coming weeks.

Banking hub recommended for Mumbles as high street services continue to disappear

Mumbles has become the latest community in Swansea to be recommended a banking hub, after LINK — the UK’s cash access network — said the village qualifies for a dedicated shared branch. It follows an application from local councillor Will Thomas, who warned that years of bank closures have left residents struggling to access basic services.

If delivered, the hub would be the third in Swansea, joining Morriston’s already‑open site and Gorseinon’s hub, which is due to open later this year.

What the hub will offer

Banking hubs operate like a traditional branch but are shared by all major banks. Customers can withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and speak to staff from their own bank on rotating days.

The project will now be taken forward by Cash Access UK, which will begin speaking to local businesses and searching for a suitable site in the coming weeks. There are currently 214 hubs open across the UK, including 12 in Wales.

Dr Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, said the decision followed evidence of strong local need.

“We’re delighted to recommend a new banking hub in Mumbles. Special thanks go to Councillor Thomas for helping to ensure we had a full picture of the town’s cash access needs.”

“Part of the fabric of a thriving high street”

Cllr Will Thomas, said the hub would restore a vital service that many residents still rely on.

“I’m absolutely delighted my application was successful, so Mumbles will once again have a dedicated community banking facility. Many residents still rely on face‑to‑face services, whether that’s for depositing cash, managing accounts, or simply having the reassurance of speaking to someone in person.”

He said the loss of high street banks had hit the village hard.

“Banking isn’t just about transactions. It’s part of the fabric of a thriving high street. When people come into the village to use banking services, they visit our cafés, shops and local businesses. It supports footfall, strengthens our local economy, and helps keep Mumbles vibrant.”

“A real difference for residents and small businesses”

Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, also welcomed the recommendation.

“This will make a real difference for residents — particularly those who need extra support when banking — as well as the many small businesses central to the area that rely on cash for their day‑to‑day operations. It’s an important step in keeping our community connected and thriving.”

LINK says anyone can check their nearest free cash access point using its online Cash Locator tool.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New banking hub confirmed for Gorseinon after branch closure announcements
Gorseinon becomes the next Swansea community to secure a shared banking hub.

Plaid MS challenges LINK over Pontardawe banking hub snub
Concerns raised after Pontardawe was overlooked despite losing high street banks.

Morriston banking hub location confirmed
Morriston’s hub becomes one of the first in Wales to open its doors.

Porthcawl banking hub location confirmed
Another coastal town secures a shared branch as bank closures continue.