Nationwide bank branch in Barry celebrates 50 years open

Nationwide made a pledge to keep their branches open until at least 2026, by which point the branch on Holton Road will have been open for more than 50 years.

For now, we’re celebrating the half-century and we did this by going down to the branch and meeting the staff behind the counter who have been serving the people of Barry for so long.

Longest-serving was Jacqui Hughes, who had been at the branch for 29 years. When I asked Ms Hughes what the people of Barry are like to serve she summed it up in one phrase.

“They are salt of the earth,” said Ms Hughes. “I once received a £40 gift voucher to give to my daughter as a present.”

Nick Preen has been at the branch five and half years and has managed to buy his first house – for which one of the customers gave him a housewarming present

Asked if there are any characters that stick out who come to the branch, Mr Preen said Mrs Klee was of the favourites.

“She's in every Tuesday,” said Mr Preen. “It’s part of her routine.”

Nationwide has pledged to keep their branches open until at least 2026 (Image: Newsquest)

Branch manager Christian Difelice has only been at Barry’s Nationwide for 10 months.

He said when he took the job, he noticed something special about it.

“Soon as I arrived here it was clear to me how connected this branch is with the community,” said Mr Difelice.

“My staff are amazing with our customers. They ask about their life and wellbeing and they are just amazing.”

The team at Barry's Nationwide, from left: Christian Difelice, Jacqui Hughes, Katy Sims, Liz Randell and Nick Preen (Image: Newsquest)

Jacqui Hughes is longest serving, having been at the branch 29 years (Image: Newsquest)

The move to online banking is sometimes seen as part of the reason bank branches are closing across the country, however at Nationwide in Barry they are not so concerned about people moving to the internet.

In fact, Ms Hughes said it's amazing what people can do.

“Some of the older customers amaze you sometimes,” said Ms Hughes. “They are trying online then they say they're stuck and they need a bit of help. We do a lot of side-by-side training with them.”

Mr Difelice also described how Nationwide is on to a bit of trick keeping their branches open, with many customers choosing to jump ship from their regular banks and switch to the building society because they still have branches.

The team summed up the people of Barry as salt of the earth (Image: Newsquest)

Read more on Barry's high street

• Boba Tea comes to Barry High Street with first shop
• Vale high street businesses' fury at rates relief reduction in latest budget
• Sausage Revolution in Barry announces its closed for good

• Holton Road quieter after shutters down on Wilkos Barry

• Awesome Wales 'saves' Baby Basics giving space in new 'Eto'

• Karry's Deli in Barry calls time and announces closure

Liz Randell has been at the branch 27 years having come straight out of school and on the flip side of the coin, Katy Sims is the newest member of the team, having previously worked at Nationwide in Cardiff.

She described the distinct difference between working in the nation’s capital and working in Barry.

“It’s more personal here,” said Ms Sims. “It’s a smaller branch serving a lot of the same people and you learn more about them.

“You ask Nick, Jacqui or Liz and they know everyone who walks through the door.”

Do you go to Nationwide in Barry? Have you stepped through the doors in the last 50 years? Have you got photos going back to when it first opened? Give a shout-out to the team for their hard loyal work! Get in touch in comments, on our Facebook page, or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.