A local councillor has sympathised with traders in Tenby and surrounding areas who have grown tired over a lack of consultation ahead of multi-sport events that take place in the town and around the county.

Despite the success of the latest Long Course Weekend that was held in the town and around the county over the weekend, many businesses have stated that while they appreciate and accept the revenue that events like this bring into the whole local economy, they feel that the event organisers and Pembrokeshire County Council need to converse more fully with traders ahead of proceedings and make it clearer to the public with regards to information on access and road closures.

Tudor Square in Tenby was closed for most of the Saturday and Sunday for the cycling and marathon stages of the weekend, with further road closures across the county on the final day of the event.

"We fully support the event and think it is a great asset to the area, but it had an adverse effect on our business this Sunday as the direct access road to Trefloyne was closed for the majority of the day," remarked Sarah Knight of Trefloyne Golf Club, Bar and Restaurant, in Penally.

"Our regular restaurant clients stayed away and numerous visitor golf bookings were cancelled.

"This is something we will be taking up with Pembrokeshire County Council prior to Ironman in September and any future events where the roads are closed.

"It would be a great shame to see these events move from Tenby, but feel it is extremely important that the council and event organisers work closely with local businesses, make the necessary access arrangements and put adequate signage in place to ensure everyone can enjoy their weekend even if they are not involved in the race," she added.

Dewi Davies, of Jago, which is situated in Tenby's Tudor Square, said that traders expected more communication from the county council seeing as they were paying premium rates for the position in the town centre.

"We are there to fully support the Long Course events and will continue to do so in the future, and we congratulate the organisers on another great weekend, but we are hugely disappointed with regards to the fact that we received no notification from the county council and organisers to say that the grandstand would be positioned outside our premises and totally obscure the shop," he explained.

Another town centre trader, Lesley Fisher, of Tenby House Hotel, said that getting clearer information out to the county with regard to access and road closure was vital to businesses and members of the public.

"I think that Pembrokeshire people probably have the perception that Tenby is completely cut off when these type of events are held, with all the road closures that seem to be in place, but that's not the case, so it just needs to be made clearer that the town centre is accessible still as we've all got to make a living," she said.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Rossiter said that she greatly sympathised with any problems that traders had experienced, particularly those affected by the temporary corrugated grandstand that was erected.

"I was dismayed and shocked to see how close the grandstand was located next to a section of the shops on Tudor Square.

"The event didn't need those stands. The girl on the microphone was encouraging people to use them, but they were hardly used at all and I don't think they were essentially required.

"The event was a great success and very impressive and well done again to those who worked so hard in organising it all, but I really feel that those grandstands were a step too far, and I've got great sympathy for those that were affected by them.

"I really hope that the organisers will take this into consideration next year for the shops in the square," continued Clr. Mrs. Rossiter, with Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett adding: "Thanks goes to everyone who supported the Long Course Weekend, as always there maybe one or two that may not agree, but once again it has put Tenby on the map."

On the matter, a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: "The council was contacted on Saturday morning when the grandstand was located on the footway and following discussions, it was moved into the parking bay to provide unrestricted footway in front of the stores.

"We have since discussed the location and suitability of the grandstands with both the event organiser, Activity Wales, and the crew which erected them to ensure that future structures associated with the Long Course weekend do not impede the visual aspects of any shop fronts.

"As part of any event the event organiser has a key role to play in relation to liaison and communication with affected businesses and residence.

"The council understands that Activity Wales issued information to all properties on the route via a Royal Mail letter drop. If any traders did not receive the communication this would be something for Activity Wales to respond to.

"However, the council will be raising this specific issue with Activity Wales in the post-event debriefing session.

"We would only add that the majority of the feedback on the event has been overwhelmingly positive but we are mindful that in organising such events there are always lessons to be learned for the following year," added the spokesperson.