Tenby Town Council announced this week that they, in conjunction with the soon to be registered DVP Trust, are to welcome bookings for the De Valence Pavilion for the next two years.

Following a meeting of the DVP Trust, the proposal was agreed at Tuesday night's meeting of the council, when members also concurred that it would be a policy that would be reviewed annually to ensure confidence for anyone making a booking at the venue in Upper Frog Street.

Councillors also agreed that the sale of the building should not be actively marketed anymore, so that it was clear to members of the public and potential buyers what the council's intentions were for the near future.

Members agreed that letters should be sent out to all community and voluntary organisations in Tenby and potential business users across Pembrokeshire, outlining the success of events held at the venue in recent weeks and inviting potential events.

"We are delighted to be announcing excellent news about the De Valence Pavilion, as we know that its future has been the subject of serious debate and lots of soul searching," said Clr. Lawrence Blackhall.

"Yet today we are able to report a good news story and a success story for Tenby and Pembrokeshire, as over the last few weeks, the De Valence has been re-opened and has seen a number of extremely successful events held there, including an excellent family Hallowe'en party, which was massively supported with over 600 attending, and amongst the many positive comments came one from a Tenby parent who said 'it was the best event for Tenby children for years'.

"This event was followed by over 450 attending the fabulous Renaissance Disco organised by Nicky Lloyd, raising money for Cancer Research, while last weekend saw the stunning Tenby Blues Festival returning to the De Valence and filling the place to the rafters," he continued.

"Locals and visitors alike enjoyed two fabulous evenings of great blues music on a main stage that complemented the many events happening all over Tenby," continued Clr. Blackhall, who gave special thanks to all those people who organised these events.

"They have helped show that there is a need and a demand for the De Valence to be open again for all the people of Tenby, Pembrokeshire and for our visitors," he said.

In the coming weeks, the De Valence will also host the Pembrokeshire Hunt Ball and a sell-out fundraising dinner for one of our local schools, while many other events are being planned to build on the success of recent weeks.

"Tenby Town Council has supported the creation of a new community trust to ensure that the De Valence building is open to the people of Tenby, the people of Pembrokeshire and to our many visitors in the years ahead," continued Clr. Blackhall.

"We are determined to ensure that this excellent local venue is available for fundraising events, children's entertainment, social evenings, educational and arts functions, exhibitions, meetings, parties, weddings and many more activities that provide benefit to our town and our county," he added.

Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans congratulated all those involved in putting on the recent successful events at the venue, but suggested it was now time for the council and the DVP Trust to sit down and plan properly for the financial year, now knowing what their intentions for the facility were for the next two years.