CONCERNS have been raised by both Tenby’s town council and civic society about details of a scheme to turn its former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema to a retro computer gaming lounge.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby’s branch on White Lion Street.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a change of use of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, most recently used as a Poundland store to a retro gaming lounge.

That followed an earlier submitted application for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former cinema, ahead of the wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front façade.

A supporting statement for the change of use scheme through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says: “The proposed retro gaming lounge will be inviting to all ages, including families, groups and individuals with no age restriction. The applicant has several similar premises across other parts of the UK and operates under a successful business model.

“This includes a fee being payable to enter the premises which thereby grants access to unlimited game time to all consoles/arcade machines. There will be no slot or coin-based reward games, so the proposal would not be considered/classed as gambling. The site will provide snacks and drinks (including alcohol) which will be canned/bottled drinks.”

It proposes opening hours of 10-10, Sunday to Thursday, and to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tenby Town Council, which states it is neither asking for approval or refusal, instead seeking further information, said: “Councillors’ concerns included noise and parking, querying if these had been considered. Also, the loss of retail to the town. Residents had raised their concerns. Councillors sought further information including clarification of opening hours.”

Tenby Civic Society had asked for a simpler form of lettering on external signage, feeling that “brand logos are inappropriate to the towns mainly Victorian character and style”.

It went on to say: “We are concerned as to the change of use; it means loss of (valued) retail floor space and a further diminution of the size and importance of Tenby Town Centre in the Park’s retail hierarchy.

“This has become an issue for LDP3 Revision; existing retail in the centre appears under threat. The use proposed would provide a kind of indoor wet weather ‘entertainment’ for some visitors. Gambling would cause some concerns, but here and elsewhere the users operate without that; a condition could exclude that.”

It also raised concerns about potential noise levels from gaming equipment.

The application, and the related signage scheme, will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.