CAERLEON will get a new cash machine fitted, after the town’s only bank shut last year.

Cashzone Limited agreed to install a machine at what was the HSBC bank. The former bank building is now owned by Hathway Property Services and the director, Phil Hathway, agreed to give up space within his office to accommodate the cash machine.

In July 2012, residents in the town discovered they were about to lose their only bank, prompting outrage from customers and politicians.

Residents even started a petition against the closure, but HSBC shut the branch on Backhall Street on November 2 - marking the firm’s third closure in Gwent in a year.

At the time, a HSBC spokeswoman said: "Customer usage of the branch has fallen significantly over the past few years as our customers either use other branches in the area, where they work, or they are using the 24-hour convenience of internet or telephone banking.

"Our network has to be fit for purpose and we have to ensure our branches are located in areas where they are used."

A newsagent in the village, Walkers, installed an ATM in September 2012.

Martin Prowse, business development manager for Cashzone said: "It was the sheer weight of public disapproval that prompted Phil to request the machine. The only thing Phil stands to gain from this installation is public approval.

"As a commercial enterprise it did not initially strike us as a great opportunity and HSBC would not offer us any indication of the level of transactions that had previously occurred.

"So I spent a morning in the town looking at all the reasons a person might need to withdraw cash, because, let’s face it, we need withdrawals in order to make an ATM viable. I then presented my findings to HQ and the decision was made to proceed."

The ATM is expected to open in the next fortnight.