A meeting to discuss a ‘master plan’ for Tenby took place this week, with local councillors strongly reiterating the need for more retail shops in the resort and cheaper parking to encourage visitors.

Earlier in the year, members of Tenby Town Council gave their backing in principle to Pembrokeshire County Council’s idea of a ‘master plan’ to revitalise towns across the county, with the authority’s regeneration manager, Sinead Henehan, outlining a strategy to develop ‘plans’ for places such as Tenby, focusing on an ‘holistic vision’ for the town’s commercial function and cultural importance.

Part of the plan’s purpose would be to enhance Tenby’s town centre environment, and identify deliverable opportunities for new and well integrated development projects, as well as looking at transport and parking systems; landscape setting and historic built heritage; and its role as a workplace.

On Tuesday, Tenby councillors met with Vince Sandwell, managing director of the BE Group - a commercial property consultancy firm focused on incorporating planning and regeneration, who have been tasked by PCC to carry out consultations and draft a ‘master plan’ for the resort.

Mr. Sandwell said that he had brought forward various discussion points, focusing on different aspects of Tenby, such as - the strength of the retail centre; parking and access; visitors; jobs and skills; as well as the potential development of sites.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that the town had faced a significant takeover of A1 retail outlets being replaced by A3 café/takeaway premises in recent times.

“My worry is that too many A3 applications are being allowed to go through. There is now a high proliferation of cafés along the South Parade area. We have had around seven applications so far this year for A3 outlets,” she explained.

“A lot of these cafés and food places close over the winter months, as there is not enough population out of season to sustain them.

“Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is one of our problems, they say they’ve done something, when they haven’t, and when we ask to have a meeting with them, we get nothing back.

“Seeing as we’re meant to be the premier resort in Pembrokeshire, it’s very frustrating,” she continued, with Clr. Tish Rossiter stating that PCNPA were not consistent with their planning.

Clr. Paul Rapi explained that business rates in Tenby were ridiculously high and were putting businesses and shop owners off.

“We need more shops in the town. We now have six chip shops, have you seen the size of Tenby!” he said, whilst both Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter and Clr. Mrs. Maureen Ward agreed that people were also struggling to afford to live in the town.

“The rent rates are horrendous. Youngsters are leaving our town because they can’t afford to live here!” commented Clr. Mrs. Ward.

Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas said that parking in the town was a problem for residents and visitors alike, with Clr. Rapi claiming that parking charges for Tenby were dearer than anywhere else in Pembrokeshire.

“The six most expensive car parks in Pembrokeshire are in Tenby, more expensive than the multi-storey in Haverfordwest!” concurred Clr. John Griffiths.

“People visiting see the parking charges and go elsewhere, as they are disgusted by them! We’re a small town on a peninsula, parking should be cheaper. It’s ridiculous the hourly rate and daily rates that PCC are asking people to pay,” said Clr. Mrs. Brown.

“It’s hardly encouragement either for anyone to come and set up a business in the town, knowing that they’d have to pay £500 per year towards parking fees,” added Clr. Laurence Blackhall.

The Mayor, Clr. Sue Lane, said that charges in Tenby were unfair in comparison to the rest of the county.

“We feel hard done by, we pay more to park, work, and live in Tenby, than anybody else in Pembrokeshire, which seems unfair,” she said, with her colleague, Clr. Tony Brown, adding that someone had informed him that Tenby was in the top three most expensive places to stay and live in the UK, and is in the top 10 for the worst wage.

Mr. Sandwell told councillors that he would like to come back and speak with them some more before the end of the month, and that once they had shared the consultations with other groups and organisations in the town, feedback would be taken to PCC, with a draft consultation likely to be finalised by September/October.

“We need a well thought out and constructed master plan for Tenby,” said Mr. Sandwell.