The latest survey work on the remaining structure of the Royal Gatehouse Hotel, Tenby - gutted in an Easter inferno - indicates ongoing concerns with regard to the immediate danger to the public. As we were going to press yesterday (Thursday), a statement released by Pembrokeshire County Council said the authority's priority was the safety of the public. In order to ensure this continues, the council is undertaking urgent action to make the site safe and secure. This will also permit the opening of The Norton and White Lion Street at the earliest opportunity. The work, being carried out by the specialist demolition contractors who have been at the site for 10 days, is due to finish today (Friday), while Wales and The West Utilities have been resolving issues with the gas supply. Meanwhile, the shuttle service for trade deliveries into Tenby - introduced by the county council - will continue next week. While cars and vans are being allowed into Tenby, customers should inform their supplier/haulier that anything bigger than a standard low roof Transit van should go to The Salterns long term car park on the outskirts of the resort where Pembrokeshire County Council will be operating a goods transhipping shuttle service for traders. The service operates from 7 am to 11.30 am every day except Sunday. "We are asking haulage operators and traders who have deliveries to Tenby to ring our contact centre so that we have advance warning of their arrival," explained Darren Thomas, the council's head of highways and construction. The number to ring is 01437 764551.
Nearly 300 attend open meeting
Around 275 businessespeople in Tenby attended an open meeting to hear the local authorities' proposed courses of action following the Easter Bank Holiday blaze which ripped through the town's disused Royal Gatehouse Hotel. The meeting, held at the De Valence Pavilion, on Tuesday, was organised by the town's Chamber for Trade, and was attended by representatives of Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Tenby Town Council. A local insurance expert was also present. "The county council have done a fantastic job," said Chamber of Trade spokesman, Chris Osborne, who chaired the meeting. "The fire brigade, police and county council officers have worked tirelessly and we are very grateful to them," he said. An update on the stage at which the demolition and stabilisation works had reached was given and a discussion took place on what could happen next, depending upon the report of the property owner's structural surveyor. The meeting heard that the report was imminent, with the chosen course of action due to be announced very soon thereafter. Chris continued: "There was concern over details on deliveries - using the temporary shuttle large-to- small arrangements at The Salterns and Belmont Arch. "All agreed access to the walled towns is paramount for customers as well as deliveries, and news that Tenby is open should be spread far and wide, though there was some concern that that news could be counter-productive if visitors had not previously heard that the town was not accessible. "Signage - roads closed - was discussed, with Pembrokeshire County Council being happy to consider amendments/adjustments where possible and within the law." Chris added: "The chamber were delighted so many business operators attended and hope that resolution of these serious challenges can be achieved before huge losses are experienced by Tenby's economy."
Gas leak
Demolition work was temporarily suspended at the listed Royal Gatehouse site on Sunday evening and Monday morning because of a gas leak which has now been made safe.
Council praise over hotel blaze
Tenby Town Council have praised all involved in their handling both during, and in the aftermath, of the recent fire at the town's historic Royal Gatehouse Hotel. At their meeting, members acknowledged the sterling efforts of all involved, particularly all the personnel from the emergency services, in tackling the blaze. Councillors also praised the efficiency of Pembrokeshire County Council's emergency response team and lauded the involvement of all the various departments of the authority in trying to bring normality back to the town within the shortest possible space of time. Thanks were also expressed to all the businesses, particularly the De Valence, the Fourcroft and the Belgrave, who all pulled together to make facilities available to ease the trauma for those displaced during the incident. The town's business community and residents were also praised for their patience and understanding while the situation remains ongoing.