A petition relating to concerns over Tenby's outdoor street market was presented to the town council this week, requesting that the stalls cease trading from Tudor Square with immediate effect. Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, the town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, told members that shortly before 5 pm that day, he had been handed the petition, which contained 51 signatures, requesting that the market desists immediately, as businesses in Tenby had concerns that it was having an adverse effect on their takings, as stalls were selling products of a similar nature to shops and outlets in the Square. Organised by the town's Chamber of Trade and supported by Pembrokeshire County Council, the market, which runs on a Wednesday, originally aimed to showcase local arts and crafts, as well as some food produce, but businesses now say that it is unfair competition. The petition also states that the market is not aesthetically pleasing and causes a disruption to parking and deliveries. Responding to the petition, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter said that the market was only meant to run on a Wednesday, but now seemed to be on Sundays too. "It seems to be anything goes, and sells food, tapes, CDs, clothing," she remarked. "Traders in the centre pay rates all year round, and this market has caused ill-feeling between properties in Tudor Square and outdoor market traders. "The Chamber of Trade thought that it would bring more trade to Tenby, but it doesn't, and most locals stay away on a Wednesday," she continued. Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown felt that Tenby needed an outdoor market, but that the situation regarding what was being sold had got out of hand, and that things had got personal between the market organisers and the shop owners. "Everyone needs to sit down around a table and talk things through properly, as over the past four to five weeks, things have gone to pot there. The chamber needs to stick to a certain criteria with what can or can't be sold, but I do think they have done a great job with the market and personally I'd like to see it extended up High Street," she said. However, her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, called the market "a horrible chaotic mess" and felt that the stalls spoilt the ambience of Tudor Square during the café culture period over the summer. Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, said it was the town council's duty to support those businesses paying rates and that it wasn't fair that the market stalls were selling the same items as businesses. Clr. Mike Evans believed the outdoor market should still have a place in the town. "Nothing is perfect, and I don't disagree that this market isn't perfect, but it's better now than what it was," he said. "Some people are totally against the Summer Spectaculars and the pedestrianisation scheme, but we shouldn't just throw the baby out with the bath water because of it. "Ten years ago this town was in trouble and going backwards fast, but we shouldn't just dismiss something because it upsets somebody. "We need to think in a rational way and put restrictions on what can be sold at the market. "It would be great to hear from these 51 people who have signed the petition about their ideas for the regeneration of Tenby," added Clr. Evans. Clr. Mrs. Kerri Durham agreed and said that it was a shame that not everyone was pulling together for the sake of the town, but Clr. Will Rossiter felt that the people who signed the petition deserved to be listened to. Councillors agreed that a meeting should be arranged with the Chamber of Trade to discuss the future of the town's outdoor market.