A local county councillor has said that he is so concerned at the level of alcohol abuse in Tenby that he intends to examine closely all licensing applications for extensions to premises' hours in the resort, along with some annual renewals.

Clr. Michael Williams's comments come following a decision made by Pembrokeshire County Council's licensing sub-committee to grant a variation to the hours of the Prince Of Wales establishment in Upper Frog Street, which will see the nightclub remain open until 3 am more frequently.

At a meeting in Haverfordwest's County Hall on Tuesday, members of the licensing sub-committee gave the thumbs up to the application for a variation of the premises licence, with conditions, despite receiving a number of letters from nearby businesses opposing the proposed hours of extension.

Clr. Williams said he was "very disappointed" at the outcome of the meeting, which heard from businesses that operated in close proximity to the Prince Of Wales, who had written to the licensing department to voice their objections to the application.

"Operation of this business until the early hours on a regular basis is of detriment to the town centre both in terms of noise and cleanliness," wrote Chris Hughes, managing director of TP Hughes, while the owners of Jonathan and Jane Bull Antiques, which is located next door to the Prince Of Wales premises, wrote to say they had the unenviable task of scrubbing "vomit, urine and blood off their walls and windows every day", due to disturbances and anti-social behaviour that occurred frequently when visitors left the premises during the early hours of the morning.

"I am aware of the concerns expressed by neighbouring businesses and residents in Upper Frog Street, particularly the fact that both frequently have to clear up the residue of patrons who have left this establishment in the early hours," commented Clr. Williams.

"There are also concerns from residents in South Parade who are frequently disturbed by people who exit the premises onto this street."

Clr. Williams said that he felt that the present hours that the Prince Of Wales were operating at, were more than sufficient, and he believed that if the licensing authority were starting from scratch on determining a licence for a premises in that area, the present hours would be much reduced.

"This part of Tenby is primarily a residential area, and those who reside there find the lives blighted by the late night activities that inevitably occur when the patrons leave," remarked Clr. Williams.

"We still retain in Upper Frog Street a number of quality businesses, and we need to protect and nurture these type of businesses in the core area of Tenby, and to encourage an extension of the hours in premises where alcohol can be consumed is not conducive to doing so.

"There has been huge concern recently about the behaviour of individuals, fuelled by excessive consumption of alcohol, together with the fact that some elements of the licensing trade deem it necessary to seek to attract what are known as hen and stag parties.

"The fact is that many families now find it intimidating when walking through the town, even during early evening.

"If we are to protect the image of Tenby as a quality family resort we must seek ways to combat this behaviour.

"The best way is to restrict the hours of licensed premises, some of whom sell alcohol to customers when they are already inebriated," added Clr. Williams.