THE closure of Conwy's last bank will be a massive blow to the town say politicians and businesses.

NatWest - part of the RBS Banking group - will shut its Castle Street branch on July 3 next year, as part of a series of closures along the North Wales Coast.

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders said: "I am disappointed and angry at the announcement by NatWest which will see the closure of the last bank in Conwy.

"This will be a massive blow to the town, especially our many independent retailers who will now be concerned about how they will manage their cash and banking needs each day."

Following a meeting with NatWest bosses, Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb said: “I highlighted my concerns and those of local residents and businesses since there has been a real anger expressed that the last bank in Conwy is to be closed.

“We also discussed what steps could be taken to ensure that the current counter services available at the NatWest in Conwy could be replicated in local businesses. I will keep residents and businesses updated when I hear back.”

The mayor of Conwy Cllr Pat Hart said: "I am shocked at this decision. Conwy is a busy tourist town and my concern is that traders in the town will have to travel to access banking services.”

Sue Roberts, proprietor of Anna’s Tea Rooms in Castle Street, said: “It is a real shame, it is good for tourists and there’s nowhere else to get change.

”It will affect us, people are going to be holding money longer and going around with cash – security is going to be heightened.”

The bank said the plans - which will also see the closure of branches in Prestatyn, Holyhead, Menai Bridge, Caernarfon, Amlwch, Ruthin, Holywell and Porthmadog - come after a significant increase in mobile and online transactions and a decline in branch-based transactions in recent years.

A spokesperson for NatWest said: "We are communicating with our customers affected by these closures and proactively contacting vulnerable and regular branch customers."