Sir,

Mr. John Griffiths has done Tenby a service by triggering a debate about the measures needed to secure its future. However, I would suggest that the weakness in his argument in last week’s Observer is that he is looking to further stimulate the holiday industry which has largely transferred overseas. Indeed, Tenby has been more successful than many British seaside towns and whilst we must not neglect this most important contributor to economic activity, we cannot afford to be overoptimistic about its potential.

So, if we are not to try and re-create the past, what are the important drivers going to be in the future? I would suggest that one is the potential growth in the numbers of people who are able to choose where they work, instead of being tied to the major towns and cities. I know of several people who have chosen to live in a pleasant location with decent internet connectivity, attending their distant offices only when circumstances demand. I am certain that this group of employees and self-employed professionals will increase, and that forward-looking communities will embrace them.

So, what does Tenby need (apart from its starting advantage of being the most charming town in the UK set in the most stunning location)? We now have decent internet connectivity, which is the first requirement. The train services are not bad or expensive, but slow, do not start early in the morning and are virtually non-existent on Sundays.

Mr. Griffiths’s plea to have more Harbour noisefests is not helpful since it makes Tenby less pleasant to live in. Perhaps the biggest own-goal is the council tax premium on second homes, since people contemplating this move are likely to dip their toes in the water by buying a second home in Tenby before committing.

However, the single thing that we could do, and practically ‘we’ here should probably refer to Pembrokeshire rather than Tenby, is to market the area to this emergent group. Could our estate agents work with the county council to advertise local properties in Cardiff or London? Can we get it into the minds of people throughout the land that living in Pembrokeshire, in particular Tenby, is the ultimate lifestyle experience?

Douglas Fraser,

3 Lexden Terrace,

Tenby.