The Ammanford businessman who is on a hunger strike protest about Lloyds Bank has decided to suspend his fast.
Alun Richards, 47, called a temporary halt to his hunger strike at the weekend.
“It is a reasonable response to the fact that we have been able to make some progress in our talks with Lloyds Bank,” said Mr Richards.
“The hunger strike has been suspended, but I may restart it if I find that Lloyds do not continue to make progress.”
Mr Richards has been on hunger strike for nearly two weeks as part of his dispute with Lloyds Bank.
Progress was made last Monday when Mr Richards visited the Lloyds Bank headquarters in Gresham Street, London, demanding to see the Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio.
“We didn’t get to see the top man, but we did get to see Matt Young, the operations director. I was happy with the way that meeting went and, since then, there have been further meetings with Lloyds Bank executives at home in South Wales.”
Mr Richards built up a multi-million business at the expanding Tycroes Business Park near Ammanford. But he claims his life has been ruined by Lloyds after a three-year dispute which has cost him hundreds of thousands of pounds and consequential business losses running into millions.
Mr Richards said:
“My hunger strike was the only thing left in my armoury to get Lloyds Bank around the table to discuss the issues. It was a bit like David taking on Goliath, but I saw no other alternative.
Mr Richards was accompanied on his visit to Gresham Street by Nia Griffith, the Llanelli MP, who is also the Labour Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills.
“Nia has been supportive and is working very hard to ensure that we can resolve this dispute with Lloyds.”
Mr Richards, a diabetic, added:
“The hunger strike has obviously taken a physical toll, but I did take medical advice at every stage and I was able to drink water while fasting.
“It isn’t an easy thing to do, but it has made me more determined than ever to seek a resolution to this dispute with Lloyds Bank.
“In their meetings, it is fair to say that we have been able to make some progress. I just hope we can make further progress to resolve the matter once and for all.”
Mr Richards went on: “I have worked my guts out establishing a business park here. The farm had been in family ownership since 1956. But, in 2000, we decided to diversify, move out of milk production and establish the business park.”
The business park attracted high profile support from Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, during his visit to us in 2009.
“It has been an exciting process watching businesses start up here and grow. Some of the old farm buildings have been put to good use and adapted for different firms. And we have catering on site with a cafe and restaurant.
“It has been a positive advance for an area like Tycroes. You would think that banks would be switched on to helping enterprise and innovation.”
A Lloyds TSB spokesman said last week: “We are concerned to hear that Mr Richards had decided to pursue his planned hunger strike and I hope that those closest to him are able to persuade him to look after his health first and foremost.
“We cannot comment on individual circumstances. In cases such as these, we thoroughly review each case. We take pride in being a responsible lender. And we cannot extend finance where we feel it’s inappropriate to do so.”
