A new pop-up credit union branch offering banking services to locals is opening in Tenby.

Saveeasy Credit Union, will be commencing the pop-up service on Monday, July 28 and will be holding the pop up branch every Monday between 10am and 12pm (except bank holidays), at the ‘community hub’ situated inside the De Valence Pavilion on Upper Frog Street.

As a credit union, once members join [with a joining fee of of £1 to open an account - the only fee charged] they become a Credit Union member.

“We offer various saving accounts, ranging from everyday savings, Christmas Savings or Junior account savings! Members can hold up to five savings accounts at any one time,” said Janine Marenghi Saveeasy’s chief executive officer.

“Dependent on circumstances, we also offer members a range of Loans and Savings plans, ranging from a family loan, savings loans to car loans.

“Members will be able to open an account, make deposits and request withdrawals at our pop up branch.

“We are also able to offer local community group accounts - with no account fees to use the service - except the joining fee.

“We will be on hand every Monday - to assist further, and welcome new and existing members to come along,” she added.

Saveeasy Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative serving the people of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and West Glamorgan, with fair and responsible savings and loans.

With HSBC - the last bank in Tenby closing its doors last summer in Tudor Square, many residents and businesses have bemoaned the seaside town’s lack of banking facilities.

Tenby Chamber of Trade highlighted earlier this year how a lack of access to cashpoints in the town continued to pose a real issue for many independent restaurants and retail businesses.

There remains a cashpoint outside the Tesco Express located on Tudor Square, and another ATM at the Seafront Pharmacy on High Street, whilst Tenby Stores and Post Office also offers banking facilities inside, but heading into another busy summer, the lack of facilties to draw out cash, has remained a concern for local businesses.

HSBC were looking to situate a ‘community cash pod’ on land opposite Tenby’s historic town walls, but an appeal against a decision by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to refuse the plans, was turned down back in April.

The application for the erection of a cash pod on land in the north-east corner of the Five Arches Car Park, was refused last year by PCNPA, with the Local Planning Authority believing that it would be ‘inappropriate’ in terms of its siting and design, resulting in harm being caused to the setting of a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Tenby Town Walls) and the Grade II listed building Holyrood and St. Teilo’s Church.

The planning inspector appointed by Welsh Ministers acknowledged that the pod would offer 24/7 enhanced banking facilities which would benefit the community and make some economic contribution; but felt that its ‘utilitarian’ appearance would be ‘unsympathetic’ on the streetscene.