Maesteg Hospital future still undecided as £30m health centre plans move forward

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board met with elected representatives and members of the Maesteg Hospital League of Friends last week to discuss the future of healthcare in the Llynfi Valley. The meeting followed growing concern over the hospital’s long-term role and the potential relocation of services.

Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, who requested the meeting, said it was “frank and honest and robust,” with all sides agreeing that the £30m funding available must be spent locally and not lost to the area.

“We made very clear in the meeting that the people of Maesteg and the Llynfi Valley are passionate about improving the healthcare of the area, and they must be part of the way forward,” he said.

The Health Board confirmed that Maesteg Hospital remains open and that no decision has been taken to close or sell the site. However, it warned that the building faces a multi-million pound maintenance backlog and cannot support the expanded services being proposed.

CTM UHB says it wants to deliver more services for more people, including urgent care, outpatient clinics, mental health support, GP provision and diagnostic imaging. These would be housed in a new Llynfi Valley Health and Wellbeing Centre, with a business case due by March 2027.

While the hospital currently offers limited services, the Health Board says its configuration and condition make it unsuitable for modern healthcare delivery. Feasibility studies suggest that upgrading the existing site would cost more than £40m — well above the available budget.

A new site at Ewenny Road is now being considered, with early assessments indicating it could deliver the proposed services within budget. If chosen, Maesteg Hospital would remain open until the new facility is ready.

The Health Board has ruled out building new hospital beds, citing international evidence that prolonged hospital stays can harm older patients. Instead, it plans to expand “hospital at home” services and secure intermediate care beds in local care homes.

CTM UHB said:

“We could not countenance missing out on the potential for £30m to be spent in a community with significant health challenges.”

Local representatives raised concerns about bed provision, transport access, and the need for clearer communication. CTM UHB acknowledged these concerns and committed to more proactive engagement, including in-person events supported by Llais, the independent patient voice body.

A like-for-like comparison of site options is expected by Easter 2026, with further public engagement to follow. The next meeting between the Health Board and elected representatives is scheduled for early March.

Maesteg Hospital's Future: What we know so far #Maesteg

https://oggybloggyogwr.com/2026/02/maesteg-hospitals-future-what-we-know-so-far/

Labour accused of dirty tricks as row over future of Maesteg Hospital intensifies

Concerns about the hospital have been building for months as Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board develops plans for a new Health and Wellbeing Centre for the Llynfi Valley. The board says it has access to around £30 million of Welsh Government funding to expand local services, but that the existing hospital site cannot be redeveloped within that budget. That position has fuelled fears about the loss of beds, the future of the building and whether the community is being properly consulted.

The latest flashpoint came after Labour representatives claimed that protest organisers, including Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Dean Ronan, had “declined to engage” with the health board. The allegation appeared in a series of letters signed by Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, David Rees MS, Stephen Kinnock MP and local councillors, who accused some campaigners of “politicising” the issue.

Labour representatives wrote:

We now understand that you have indeed reached out to the main organisers – including a candidate for the Liberal Democrats – and they have declined to engage with you.

They also warned that the £30 million investment must not be put at risk.

Labour representatives wrote:

We certainly do not want to lose the £30m which Welsh Government have already put forward… this matter is of such huge importance it should be well beyond party politics.

Dean Ronan has rejected the claim outright, saying he has never been contacted by the health board and could not have refused a meeting that was never offered.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

Not once have I been contacted about the future of Maesteg Hospital. I could not have declined a meeting that was never offered. If Labour or the health board have evidence to the contrary, they should publish it immediately.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the campaign to protect the hospital has always been community‑led and cross‑party, involving the League of Friends, independent councillors and Plaid Cymru candidates. They argue that the focus should be on the future of services, not political point‑scoring.

David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson, said:

This looks like a classic dirty tricks operation — brief against local campaigners, make untrue claims, and hope nobody challenges them.

On Sunday, Dean Ronan issued a new public statement confirming that he had been invited to meet Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies to discuss the future of healthcare in Maesteg. He said he was open to meeting, but only if a public apology was issued for what he described as “false statements” made about him earlier in the week.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

I informed Huw that I would be open to meeting with him and sharing my views, on the condition that a public apology was issued by himself and the local councillors who attached their names to false statements made about me earlier this week. I was told that Huw would not issue a public apology, as he did not wish to focus on ‘politics or personalities’. As a result, I have declined the meeting.”

He said the issue was not political, but personal.

Mr Ronan added:

Morally, it does not sit right with me to allow lies to be told or left unchallenged. These are my values as a person, not a political position. The people of Maesteg deserve representatives who are honest and transparent at all times. Integrity and honesty matter more to me than any party policy.”

He added that he remained open to dialogue if a public apology was issued.

What the health board says it is planning

Behind the political row sits a much larger debate about what the health board is proposing for the Llynfi Valley.

The board says it wants to deliver a wider range of services locally, including urgent care, expanded outpatient clinics, mental health support, integrated community teams and space for third‑sector wellbeing organisations. It argues that these improvements cannot be delivered within the existing hospital buildings, which would cost at least £42 million to redevelop and potentially up to £48 million if further structural issues are uncovered.

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:

We have not taken any decisions to close Maesteg Hospital or sell the site. Whatever the future holds for this important, much‑loved building will take into account the views of local people and the heritage of the site.

The board says it is exploring a potential new site near Ewenny Road, close to Maesteg town centre and the railway station, because it offers better access and can accommodate the size of building required for modern services. It also says it is considering alternatives to hospital‑based community beds, including block‑booking beds in local nursing homes for rehabilitation, reablement and palliative care.

The health board said in its latest update:

Local people who are anxious about the future deserve the facts. We will continue to meet with representatives and provide information through other means.

Calls for transparency and engagement

Labour representatives say they share concerns about the future of the hospital building and have urged the board to protect the site’s heritage. They argue that the building is iconic and must not be left “empty or unloved”.

Labour representatives wrote:

There is no‑one in these communities who would allow this iconic building to lie empty or unloved or unused.

They also said they have pressed the health board to meet urgently with the League of Friends and all elected representatives, and that the board has now agreed to do so.

The health board says it has already held engagement events and will carry out further public consultation once more detailed work on both the existing site and the potential new site is complete. A decision on the preferred location is expected in early 2026.

For now, the political row continues to overshadow the process, with both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting the facts. What remains clear is that the future of Maesteg Hospital — its services, its beds and its building — has become one of the most contentious local issues in years, and the community is demanding answers.

Maesteg dad who “hit rock bottom” turns to boxing to rebuild his confidence

A 28‑year‑old dad from Maesteg has spoken about how taking part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing event helped him regain confidence and find a sense of community after a difficult period in his life.

Anthony Trubridge, an HGV driver, took part in the charity boxing event at the Vale Sport Arena in Cardiff to raise money for Movember, which supports men’s mental health as well as prostate and testicular cancer.

Finding a turning point

Anthony says his mental health had declined following the end of his marriage, leaving him feeling isolated and overwhelmed. A panic attack while driving earlier this year became the moment he knew something had to change.

Anthony Trubridge said:

“At the start of this year, my mental health took a bad turn. I felt like I had pretty much hit rock bottom. I was a complete shell of myself. But after the panic attack, something suddenly clicked. I had a burning desire to take action and become someone with a zest for living life to the fullest — and I’ve honestly not looked back since.”

He began searching for ways to improve his wellbeing and came across Ultra White Collar Boxing online.

Anthony added:

“As soon as I saw Ultra on Facebook, and started reading the great testimonials on their website, I knew it was going to be the perfect route for me. I felt boxing could help me channel my energy, teach me how to improve my health, and ultimately stay accountable to myself. Now, I can safely say that I was absolutely right.”

Building confidence through training

Anthony joined the eight‑week training programme, which brings together first‑time boxers preparing for a charity bout. He trained at Gracie Barra Cardiff under coach Rik Swaine, supported by his personal trainer Briannon.

Anthony said:

“After months of isolation, I finally felt like I had met a group of people I could open up to. I didn’t realise how physically challenging the training was going to be, but the relationships I started forming and the confidence I started to gain made me want to keep going back.”

He said the structure of the programme helped him focus on his wellbeing.

He continued:

“The sessions were tough, but designed to be inclusive so no one gets left behind. The whole process encourages you to think about your own well‑being and learn self‑discipline. I changed my diet and stuck to it, because I wanted to feel good and perform at my best.”

Raising money — and spirits

Anthony chose to raise funds for Movember because of its focus on men’s mental health.

Anthony said:

“They do so much for men’s mental health, and I know first‑hand how difficult it can be to speak up as a man. But when you do and other people say they have felt the same way, it makes you feel less alone.”

He said the sense of community he found through Ultra made a significant difference.

He added:

“After the separation I felt I was on my own. But Ultra gave me a community. It really was a life‑changing experience for me.”

Anthony raised more than £300 — well above the £50 minimum.

Fight night and “The Phoenix”

On the night, Anthony faced his training partner Tyler in a close contest he lost on points, but says the experience meant far more than the result.

Anthony said:

“My mum gave me the idea of The Phoenix, as I always come back stronger like a phoenix rising from the ashes. She was really chuffed that I chose it, and had some custom shorts created to match my vest.”

He walked out to Rising from the Ashes by The Reveal Inc.

He said:

“The lyrics summed up my life — what I was going through, how I was feeling, and then the journey to getting back to where I am now.”

“You will never regret the person you become”

Anthony says he would encourage anyone considering the programme to take the step.

Anthony said:

“For anyone considering signing up, I understand how daunting it can be — but trust me when I say, it is 100% worth it. Training is tough, but you will never regret the person you become and the friends you make along the way. It is such a fantastic process to go through — I loved it so much I am doing it all over again.”

Ultra Events, the company behind Ultra White Collar Boxing, has raised more than £41 million for charity, including over £500,000 in Cardiff alone.

The next Cardiff event takes place on Saturday 28 March 2026, with training beginning on Monday 2 February.

Sunday lunch horror: 43 struck down at Welsh pub

More than 40 people were left sick and rushing to the loo after eating Sunday lunch at the Corner House Inn in Llangynwyd, near Maesteg.

The pub shut its doors for a deep clean after customers reported stomach cramps and diarrhoea just hours after their meals.

Bug behind the outbreak

Public Health Wales confirmed 43 cases of food poisoning, blaming the bacteria clostridium perfringens. The bug is known to lurk in meat and poultry left out too long.

Officials said the risk to the wider public is low, but admitted the outbreak was one of the largest seen in Wales this year.

Pub vows honesty

In a Facebook post, the Corner House Inn said: “We contacted environmental health ourselves… we will be honest throughout and will continue to do so.”

The owners promised to keep working with inspectors to protect staff and customers, insisting the restaurant remains open.

Not the first time

It comes just weeks after a similar outbreak at the Cwrt Henllys Bar and Restaurant in Cwmbran, also linked to Sunday lunch.

The Food Standards Agency warns spores from the bug can survive cooking and multiply if food is cooled too slowly or left unrefrigerated.

Children, pregnant women, older people and those with health conditions are most at risk of severe illness.

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#clostridiumPerfringens #EnvironmentalHealth #foodDrink #foodPoisoning #Llangynwyd #Maesteg #pub #PublicHealthWales #SundayLunch

Plans for giant Y Bryn wind farm near Port Talbot refused after landscape concerns

The Y Bryn Wind Farm would have seen up to 18 turbines, each rising to 250 metres from base to tip, constructed on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate northeast of Port Talbot. At that scale, the turbines would have been more than twice the height of Swansea’s Meridian Quay Tower, and visible across much of South Wales.

A project promising power for thousands of homes

Developers Coriolis Energy and ESB argued the scheme could generate enough electricity to power more than 85,000 homes each year, offsetting over 137,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. They said the project would contribute towards Wales’ 2030 renewable energy target, while also offering a £1 million annual community benefit fund and opportunities for local ownership.

Concerns that the turbines would dominate the skyline

Despite those potential benefits, the inspector concluded the turbines would cause “unacceptable adverse impacts” on the landscape and visual amenity. Both Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend councils warned the sheer size of the structures would dominate the skyline and affect historic sites.

The inspector acknowledged the climate and energy security advantages but ruled that the harm to the landscape outweighed them. The decision noted that while the impacts would eventually end when the turbines were decommissioned, they would be felt for decades.

Relief for campaigners after years of opposition

Local residents in Bryn and nearby communities, who had opposed the plans since 2021, welcomed the refusal.

Resident Rhodri Williams said:

“We’re over the moon with this decision and so happy to see that common sense has prevailed. After fighting it for years, we’re pleased to have saved our local landscape so that future generations can enjoy what we have now.”

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) also praised the outcome, describing the project as “industrial‑scale in an entirely inappropriate landscape” and warning it would have threatened valued forests, wildlife and community wellbeing.

Developers say Wales has missed an opportunity

Project manager Trevor Hunter said Coriolis and ESB were “bitterly disappointed” by the refusal, calling it a setback for Wales’ renewable energy ambitions. He highlighted the inspector’s concerns about long‑distance impacts on the Gower National Landscape and cumulative effects on heritage assets.

Hunter added that the developers would review the decision with legal and technical teams before deciding on next steps, but stressed the project had promised significant community benefits and investment.

What happens next for Y Bryn

For now, campaigners say they are relieved the project has been halted, while developers consider whether to appeal or resubmit revised plans. The debate over how Wales balances renewable energy targets with protecting sensitive landscapes is likely to continue.

#bryn #coriolisEnergy #energy #esb #landscapeImpact #maesteg #planning #planningPermission #portTalbot #renewableEnergy #welshGovernment #windFarm #yBrynWindFarm

Police uncover 300 cannabis plants in former Maesteg bank

The building, which closed as a bank in May 2017, was entered by officers following intelligence from the local community about suspicious activity at the property. When police searched the premises, they found the large-scale cannabis grow but no individuals were present at the time.

Police remain at the scene this afternoon, securing the premises and continuing their investigation.

Community intelligence leads to action

A spokesperson for South Wales Police Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend said the discovery highlighted the importance of community information. They added: “Community tips can lead to positive action such as this, so please get in touch if you have concerns.”

Part of wider crackdown on cannabis factories

The raid is the latest in a series of operations targeting cannabis production across the Maesteg and wider South Wales area.

In recent months, officers have seized cannabis with a potential street value of more than £250,000 in a series of raids in the Llynfi Valley, many of which have been linked to organised criminal groups. Police have warned that cannabis factories are often connected to wider criminality, including people trafficking and violence used to protect the sites.

Ongoing investigation

No arrests have yet been confirmed in connection with the Talbot Street discovery. Officers are urging anyone with information about drug production in their community to report it via the South Wales Police website or by calling 101.

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#Cannabis #CannabisFarm #HSBC #Maesteg #SouthWalesPolice #TalbotStreet

Haunted South West Wales: The spookiest spots to visit this Halloween

From ghostly gamekeepers to spectral actresses, South West Wales has no shortage of spine-tingling tales. A new study by Verdant Leisure ranks Carmarthenshire and Swansea among the most haunted counties in Wales — but Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Bridgend have their own chilling legends to share.

As Halloween approaches, here’s your guide to the most haunted places in our patch — and the stories that still echo through them.

👻 Top 5 Haunted Spots in South West Wales

• Newton House, Carmarthenshire – National Trust mansion with multiple spirits, featured on Most Haunted
• Margam Castle, Neath Port Talbot – Haunted by a white lady, ghostly children and a furious gamekeeper
• Swansea Grand Theatre – Home to “Jenny,” a ghostly actress linked to the Titanic
• Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire – Haunted by Princess Nest, with sightings of a woman in white
• Ogmore Castle, Bridgend – Linked to ghostly knights and riverside apparitions

Carmarthenshire: Newton House and the Ghosts of Pembrey

Carmarthenshire ranks second in Wales for paranormal activity — and it’s easy to see why. At the heart of its haunted reputation is Newton House, a grand National Trust property in Llandeilo. Twice featured on Most Haunted, it’s said to host multiple spirits, including a woman seen drifting through corridors and a man whose footsteps echo in empty rooms. The house’s long history and isolated setting make it a magnet for ghost hunters.

But the real chills lie deeper in the woods. Pembrey Forest, near Llanelli, has terrified locals for generations. Tales speak of the “little hatchet men of Pembrey” — lantern-carrying figures who lured ships onto the rocks before slaughtering survivors and stealing their cargo. During the 19th century, gunpowder and dynamite were produced here, and in WWII, damaged planes often crashed nearby trying to reach the RAF airfield. Today, ghostly figures are said to roam the dunes and shoreline — from cursed pilots to phantom sailors aboard ghost ships.

Whether you’re chasing folklore or just looking for seasonal fun, Carmarthenshire delivers. Paranormal investigations run year-round in Pembrey Forest, but for something gentler, Pembrey Country Park’s Pumpkin Trail offers a family-friendly way to explore the area’s darker side.

🎃 Halloween Event – Carmarthenshire

Pumpkin Trail at Pembrey Country Park
A gentle walk through the woods with spooky surprises for all ages.
Event details

Swansea: Jenny of the Grand and Castle Shadows

Swansea ranks fourth in Wales for paranormal activity — and its ghost stories are as theatrical as they are chilling. The most famous is “Jenny,” said to haunt the Swansea Grand Theatre. Legend has it she was an actress who performed there shortly before boarding the Titanic. Her presence is still felt backstage, with unexplained footsteps and flickering lights reported by staff. Actor Owen Straton retells her story in a haunting reading available on YouTube.

Beyond the stage, Swansea’s castles offer plenty for horror fans. Oystermouth Castle leans into its haunted past with ghost tours and tales of medieval spirits, while Swansea Castle, tucked into the city centre, is part of the “Legendary Castles Trail.” Further west, Oxwich Castle sits above the bay on the Gower Peninsula — a crumbling Tudor ruin steeped in shadow and folklore, perfect for windswept Halloween walks.

Whether you’re chasing ghosts or just dressing up, Swansea’s Halloween calendar delivers. The city’s annual Spooks in the City event returns with a new monster mash-up of street theatre, parades and family fun.

🎃 Halloween Event – Swansea

Spooks in the City
A monster mash-up of street theatre, parades and family fun across the city centre.
Event details

Neath Port Talbot: Margam’s Ghostly Gamekeeper and Abbey Shadows

Neath Port Talbot may not be ranked in the study, but its haunted history runs deep. Margam Castle is widely considered one of the most haunted buildings in Britain. Visitors have reported sightings of a white lady, ghostly children, and the angry spirit of a gamekeeper who once worked on the estate. Paranormal investigators have captured unexplained sounds and shadows in the castle’s grand halls.

Nearby, Neath Abbey is said to be haunted by monks and a Victorian policeman who patrols Old Market Street. The Castle Hotel in Neath has its own cast of ghosts — including an Edwardian boy, a headless cavalier, and a festive spirit who appears only at Christmas. And then there’s the Cursed Wall of Port Talbot, a local legend claiming that if the wall falls, so does the town.

For those who want to experience the chills firsthand, Fright Nights at Margam Castle offer after-dark ghost hunts in one of Wales’ most storied buildings.

🎃 Halloween Event – Neath Port Talbot

Fright Nights at Margam Castle
Paranormal investigations and ghost hunts in one of Britain’s most haunted buildings.
Event details

Pembrokeshire: Princess Nest and the Creepy Mill

Pembrokeshire may not have made the top five, but its haunted history runs deep. Carew Castle is said to be haunted by Princess Nest, a noblewoman whose tragic story has echoed through the centuries. Visitors have reported cold spots, strange noises, and sightings of a woman in white near the battlements.

The county’s coastal paths and ancient churches also carry whispers of ghostly monks, shipwrecked sailors, and long-lost lovers. The windswept ruins and remote beaches make Pembrokeshire a perfect setting for eerie tales and Halloween walks.

This year, Carew Castle is hosting Creepy Mill, a haunted house experience that transforms part of the castle into a terrifying attraction for brave visitors.

🎃 Halloween Event – Pembrokeshire

Creepy Mill at Carew Castle
A haunted house experience inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most storied ruins.
Event details

Bridgend: Ogmore Castle and Creepy Cocktails

Bridgend’s ghost stories are quieter but no less eerie. Ogmore Castle, with its crumbling walls and riverside setting, has long been linked to spectral sightings. Locals speak of a ghostly knight who guards the ruins, and visitors have reported strange sounds after dark.

The county’s folklore also includes tales of haunted inns, shadowy figures in the woods, and mysterious lights near the coast. It’s a place where myths linger — and Halloween brings them to life.

For a grown-up twist, Maesteg Town Hall is hosting Monstrous Myths & Creepy Cocktails — an evening of storytelling, spirits (of both kinds), and seasonal surprises.

🎃 Halloween Event – Bridgend

Monstrous Myths & Creepy Cocktails
A grown-up evening of storytelling and seasonal spirits at Maesteg Town Hall.
Event details

🎃 Halloween Ideas Across the Region

• Book a ghost tour in Carmarthen or Neath
• Visit Newton House or Margam Castle for a haunted day out
• Explore Swansea’s haunted theatre or castle trails
• Share your own spooky sightings — South West Wales has plenty of stories still untold

#Bridgend #CarewCastle #CarewTidalMill #CastleHotelNeath #creepyCocktailsMaesteg #CreepyMillAtCarewCastle #FrightNightsAtMargamCastle #ghostHuntsMargamCastle #ghostStoriesFromWales #ghostToursSwansea #Gower #Halloween #HalloweenActivitiesForFamiliesWales #HalloweenEventsInWales2025 #HalloweenTrailsCarmarthenshire #hauntedCastlesPembrokeshire #hauntedForestsInWales #hauntedPlacesInSouthWestWales #hauntedRuinsWales #hauntedTheatreStoriesWales #Llandeilo #Llanelli #Maesteg #MaestegTownHall #MargamCastle #MonstrousMythsAndCreepyCocktails #Neath #NeathAbbey #NewtonHouse #OgmoreCastle #OxwichCastle #OystermouthCastle #paranormalInvestigationsWales #PembreyForest #Pembrokeshire #PortTalbot #PumpkinTrailAtPembreyCountryPark #scaryPlacesToVisitInWales #SpooksInTheCity #spookyCastlesInWales #Swansea #SwanseaCastle #SwanseaGrandTheatre

£223k refurbishment brings new life to Maesteg’s netball and basketball courts

Major investment in community sport

The refurbishment forms part of the Sport Wales Court Collaboration Project, a scheme launched in 2022 with Wales Netball and Basketball Wales to widen access to sport across Welsh communities.

Funding for the Maesteg project included £167,250 from Sport Wales’ Court Collaboration Fund and £55,750 from Bridgend County Borough Council’s Community Asset Transfer Fund.

Official opening ceremony

The courts were officially reopened on Thursday 25 September, with speeches from John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Jack Sargeant MS and Stephen Kinnock MP.

The ribbon‑cutting was followed by basketball and netball activities led by national governing bodies, with pupils from St Mary’s & St Patrick’s RC Primary School among the first to try out the new facilities.

Council leader welcomes investment

John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, said:

“We are thrilled to have worked in partnership with Sport Wales’ Court Collaboration Scheme and are delighted to announce that the basketball and netball courts at Caedu Park and Maesteg Welfare Park are now available to the community.

It’s brilliant to see that these courts have been given a refurbishment and another boost of investment in the park, having recently opened the neighbouring tennis courts.

I am extremely grateful to the Court Collaboration Scheme for seeing this come to fruition alongside us and I have no doubt that these courts will prove to be popular with adults and children alike in the community.”

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Principality opens new OneBanx cash kiosk in Maesteg as banks close branches across South Wales

Community celebration in Maesteg

Members, local community groups and pupils from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant joined Principality colleagues to mark the launch. Huw Irranca‑Davies MS and Stephen Kinnock MP also attended, meeting constituents and praising the investment.

The kiosk allows customers of most major banks and building societies to deposit and withdraw cash quickly and securely, without needing a card or paying fees. Transactions are instant, and the service is available in Welsh.

‘Vital support’ for residents and businesses

Kelly Young, Head of Customer Service – Savings at Principality Building Society, said:

“We are delighted to officially launch our OneBanx kiosk at our Maesteg branch, and welcome so many valued partners. This investment underlines our long‑term commitment to the high street and community, as well as ensuring local businesses and Members have access to the services they need.”

The kiosk will be open during branch hours six days a week, supported by Principality staff.

Politicians back new service

Huw Irranca‑Davies MS for Ogmore said the kiosk would “provide vital support for local businesses and residents, helping to sustain the area’s economic vitality.”

Stephen Kinnock MP for Aberafan Maesteg added: “With so many bank branches closing this kind of service is a lifeline – especially for older residents, small businesses, and anyone who still relies on cash. It’s not just about banking; it’s about keeping our communities connected and making sure no one gets left behind.”Wider picture: closures and new hubs

Wider picture: closures and new hubs

The launch of the Maesteg kiosk comes against a backdrop of widespread bank closures across South Wales. Lloyds Bank has already confirmed it will shut its Ammanford branch in January 2026, followed by Gorseinon in October the same year. In response, a new shared banking hub has been promised for Gorseinon to help fill the gap.

NatWest’s decision to close its Neath branch has been described as “deeply disappointing” by local representatives, while TSB is preparing to shut its Carmarthen branch in September 2024, leaving the nearest alternative almost 30 miles away. In Pontardawe, MP David Chadwick has urged Lloyds’ chief executive to rethink closure plans, warning that queues “out the door” show there is still strong demand for in‑person services.

Principality, by contrast, has been moving in the opposite direction. Earlier this year it opened a new branch on Swansea’s Oxford Street, underlining its pledge to maintain a high street presence until at least 2030. The new Maesteg kiosk is the latest sign of that commitment, offering reassurance to residents and small businesses who still rely on cash.

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Lloyds Bank to close Ammanford and Gorseinon branches in 2026
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MP calls on Lloyds CEO to halt Pontardawe closure
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#bankClosure #cash #cashKiosk #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #Maesteg #money #PrincipalityBuildingSociety #StephenKinnockMP #YsgolCynwydSant