Local councillors have been asked to give their views on an application for a 'gaming licence' at a premises in the town.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, explained to members at a meeting of Tenby Town Council on Tuesday night, that he had received correspondence from Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism and the owner of Serendipity Games Centre in the town, Mr. Frank Booth, who both had concerns that a 'gaming licence' application had been submitted by the bookmakers Ladbrokes for the former Sun Inn premises in High Street.

"Chamber of Trade chairman, Mr. Chris Osborne, has asked us for our views on this potentially controversial application within the next seven days and whether we were going to support it, while Mr. Booth has raised concerns that the FOBT gambling machines that this licence would allow for, are addictive and there have been campaigns to crackdown on them," said Mr. Davies.

"Mr. Booth referred to them as the 'crack cocaine' of the High Street and that as Tenby already had two bookmaker establishments that featured these machines, another four of them would be detrimental to the town," added Mr. Davies, who said that as the premises was designated for A3 use, a gaming licence could be applied for without the need for additional planning permission for a change of use.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she didn't think Tenby's High Street was the proper place for a betting shop, while Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain agreed and thought it odd that as a local estate agents was recently prevented from having a branch in that area, to allow for more space for retail shops on the street, why should a bookmakers be allowed to move in.

Clr. Tony Brown said that he did not bet or gamble, but he did not have a problem with a bookmakers opening in that area of High Street, as lots of units were continuously empty in that part of the town, with Clr. Lawrence Blackhall agreeing.

"We have around 26 licensed premises in the town, people have a free choice to drink or bet, so it's not our role as a town council to make choices for them," he said.

"If it improves the overall look of that street and attracts more people to that end of the town, then I don't have a problem with it," added Clr. Blackhall.

Clr. Dr. Peter Easy suggested that, as the application had not officially come before the council to be determined, then it would be wise to wait until it did, so that they could make a legitimate resolution, and not be pushed into a 'knee-jerk' reaction just to satisfy the Chamber of Trade.

The town clerk agreed to defer the discussions and told councillors that if a decision was required from the town council on the matter before the next meeting, then he would notify members.