Sir, Following on from my letter in last week's Tenby Observer, I felt that readers would be interested in the developments regarding the Royal Gatehouse Hotel and indeed Tenby's future. I was very pleased to hear that an emergency meeting has been called to discuss the Gatehouse, and that the scaffolding firm that was due to start erecting the frame on Saturday morning, which would have completely covered the building, had been put on hold. I feel that this was a great victory for commonsense. If that scaffolding had gone up, it would have been there for quite some time and would have taken the urgency off making a speedy decision. On Friday, I had an appointment with our local AM, Angela Burns, over another matter. After that meeting, I brought up the matter of the Royal Gatehouse Hotel and I spoke at great length to the AM, her PA and Simon Hart (the Conservative parliamentary candidate), who were all very concerned with the current impacts and the long- term consequences on Tenby that the fire at the hotel was having. I was pleased that they were also aware of the more serious and fragile state of Tenby's tourist industry. They all agreed to come to Tenby on Monday to see for themselves the aftermath of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend blaze. We met at the cinema to view the burnt out shell of the hotel. We continued to The Norton and, looking at the gaping hole left by the fire, the effect it was having on the town was really well demonstrated when an old lady stopped and ask us how she could get in to the town. She said she had been trying to get in for almost an hour. She could see it through the barriers, but she said she could not find her way around to get to it. This really brought it home to all of us that something has to be done, and fast. If not, Tenby's reputation is going to be seriously damaged. We then went for coffee and to discuss the way forward. We discussed the state of the building - clearly it has been severely damaged by the fire and although the remains have been made safe, what was left had been so badly affected by the extreme heat and the tremendous amount of water which had been used to put out the flame, it was clear to see it too would have to be demolished. Angela was convinced that the only way forward was to demolish the Gatehouse as soon as possible, so the Norton and White Lion Street could be re- opened. It was agreed that the town should be represented at the emergency meeting and that it was paramount that the roads were allowed to open and the only safe way that this could be achieved was to demolish the Gatehouse Hotel. I also took this opportunity to discuss the worsening state of Tenby's economy and highlighted the need for a massive inward investment if Tenby was going to start recovering from the declining tourist market. Over the past 10 years, the world's tourist market has developed so much that it has now become over-developed and there are too many destinations for too few people worldwide, which has made it a very competitive market. If Tenby is to succeed or even survive in the next 10 years, it has to compete on the international market with a world class attraction. A few years ago, I produced an outline proposal for St. Catherine's Island which would utilise the fort and could be a world class attraction for Tenby, but at the time it was considered too 'commercial'. The proposal was for a Virtual Reality Indoor Theme Park (edutainment centre) which would be a high tech centre based on the theme of Wales, the history, the myths and the legends of the Welsh culture and natural beauty of the country. In one visit, the visitor would be made aware and entertained by the latest technological devices to portray the story of Wales using state-of-the-art motion theatres, holograms and virtual 3D helmet technology. The centre would compete on the international market and sell the fact that if you are coming to Wales and you want to see Wales, come to Tenby, 'Wales in one hit'. The centre would be both educational and entertaining, which would make for an all-year- round attraction for all ages, catering for tourists in the summer and schools in the winter. Above the attractions would be a glass dome which would house a top class 360 degree restaurant. Plus as the island is situated at the edge of deep water, it would be possible to accommodate the ever-expanding cruise ship market. The island could be connected to Tenby by one of four methods, a bridge, cable car or a mono-rail, which would also add to the experience, or a causeway, which could accommodate a small marina and offer tourists a more satisfactory boarding site for the boats going to Caldey Island. This proposal would benefit the entire town. I would like to think that something good will come out of the fire at the Royal Gatehouse Hotel and that Tenby will benefit in the long run, but it will only happen if the people of Tenby will it to happen. We must grasp this opportunity with both hands and drag the town into the 21st century, even though its roots are firmly embedded in the past. We are rapidly moving towards a time when Tenby will no longer be the jewel in Pembrokeshire's crown; it is fast becoming an empty setting. Let's try and put the jewel back!

Stephen Williams, Manager, Royal Playhouse Cinema, Tenby.