Traders at Tenby Market continue to face hardships - with one councillor for the seaside town firmly laying the blame at the door of ‘landlords’ Pembrokeshire County Council - citing the ongoing neglect of the historic listed building - as an example of the Local Authority’s ‘almost complete abandonment’ of Tenby.

County councillor for the seaside town’s north ward Cllr Michael Williams last month contacted PCC’s Deputy Leader, Paul Miller asking for an update on plans to carry out improvements and repairs to the historic market hall, after continued reports of rainwater pouring through sections of the roof and worryingly running down the light fittings in the building - only to be told that there was ‘no available quick fix’

Now in the latest development, one stall holder at the hall has received notice from PCC that they intend this month to terminate the lease to an essential storeroom they use - due ‘operational requirements’

The trader has now contacted their local county councillors, pointing towards their concern over the ‘flippant nature of the communication’ and the county council’s ‘complete disregard for the livelihoods of the traders’.

“I know it’s just a storeroom, but I can’t trade without it — all of my stock and materials are stored there!” they stated.

“This has also made me question the future of the market, not just in the long term but in the immediate short term too, especially given the ongoing water ingress issues and the recent statement that repairs are ‘beyond practical resolution’

Cllr Williams contacted Pembrokeshire Council’s leader Cllr Jon Harvey this week over the ongoing issues which he has called a ‘disgrace’.

In correspondence to PCC’s leader, Cllr Williams explained that he’d emailed the CEO [Will Bramble] the previous day, and was told that he would be contacted by various officers, and this was before he’d received the latest news of traders’ fresh concerns.

“The way these tenants have been treated is truly appalling,” remarked Cllr Williams.

“I have asked for meetings with the tenants and been informed that this was ‘Premature’. I have also asked for details of any agreements reached with the developers next door and received nothing.

“I have also shown the CEO the conditions prevailing in the market over two years ago, it is now far worse, and nothing has changed.

“In the past to involve the chief officer used to mean there was at least some meaningful action, this no longer appears to be the situation, and I have to question exactly what his role is?

“Frankly I absolutely despair. The way the authority has treated the tenants is an absolute disgrace, and nobody appears to listen, after years of neglect.

“The lack of any meaningful response to me makes me ashamed to be a member of the authority, residents expect at least some response when they contact their elected representatives, I’m afraid due to the authority’s lack of any replies, I can only feel that I have completely let them down,” continued Cllr Williams.

“I would point out that we are now in the process of setting the budget for next year, such is my despair it is very doubtful that I will be supporting any budget put forward by this administration.

“This is but one example of what appears to be the almost complete abandonment of Tenby by this authority and enough is enough,” he added.