A public meeting is to be held in Tenby next week to discuss the future of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Visitor Centre.

The centre at Tenby, located on South Parade, has been earmarked for closure, along with a facility at Newport, as the PCNPA authority look at new ways of providing tourist information to the public.

A recent meeting of the authority saw members vote unanimously to pass the recommendation to consult on a proposal to change the way that information services are delivered in Tenby.

A report from PCNPA’s director of delivery and discovery came before members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night.

“The main focus of the paper is to recommend undertaking a process of consultation on proposals to change the way we deliver tourist information services in Tenby and Newport,” wrote James Parkin.

“Members have heard evidence that with more and more people using their own electronic devices to access information on tourism, before and during their holiday, the way that we provide visitor information also needs to change.

“The proposals, if taken forward, would lead to greater focus on activities such as seasonal pop-up events, a parkwise scheme, tourism ambassador scheme, improved ‘roadshow’ materials and a revision of our website. It would also, however, result in the potential closure of the centres currently located in Tenby and Newport. Staff at these sites are already aware of these proposals,” he continued.

Commenting on the proposals, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she didn’t agree with the loss of the centre in Tenby.

“It would be a shame to lose that office, and see the authority moving out of the only town that belongs to the National Park. I feel that they need a presence in Tenby, and the fact that over 25,000 people visited the centre during the season shows this.

“We suggested some time ago that they share a premises with Pembrokeshire County Council who have the Tourist Information Centre, so I don’t understand why this couldn’t have been explored,” she continued.

County councillor Michael Williams, who was present at the meeting, informed town councillors that PCNPA had made “numerous approaches” towards the county council to share a facility in Tenby in the past, but that the offers were declined by PCC.

“I know that both authorities want to save money, but surely there is a better solution,” remarked Clr. Mrs. Brown.

“Tenby is the premier tourist town in the county, so we need to insist on this, and write to them with our comments before the public meeting next week.

“People like me don’t necessarily use Wi-Fi, and some others of an elderly age don’t even know what it is! So we don’t want to lose those people who still need info in Tenby. Some people still like a good old-fashioned pamphlet,” she added.

The Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, said that it was the town council that suggested that PCC and PCNPA operated together, but the idea was not taken forward.

“There are substantial visitors to the National Park building every single day. It’s also disappointing to note that it is almost a year ago that these discussions appeared to have started, and for me the first dialogue on such proposals should involve town and community councils.

“The way forward is through constructive dialogue - the earlier you come here for a conversation, the better the conversation will be,” added Clr. Blackhall.

The public meeting hosted by PCNPA to discuss the proposals, will be held at the De Valence Pavilion on Tuesday, October 11, from 6 to 8 pm.