A town and county councillor has voiced his disagreement with the notion felt by many of the town's businesses, that Tenby is on its knees financially.
Speaking on the state of Tenby's economic climate at a meeting of the town council on Tuesday, Clr. Mike Evans felt that Tenby would come out of the current recession positively and that the town must not be talked down.
Addressing the subject at the meeting, Clr. Paul Rapi referred to the headlines in last week's Observer where many of the town's businesses had called for a meeting with the Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism to discuss the high business rates being paid.
"I think that it's important that we bring up how the town is suffering at the moment," he stated. "One holidaymaker described to me how Tenby was looking like a 'bomb site', referring to the Gatehouse, while other issues such as shops closing and people losing employment are just highlighting further problems."
Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown felt the council should give their full support to what the Chamber of Trade was trying to achieve with the meeting and also backed county councillor Michael Williams's comments that something had to be done about the high rates before Tenby is 'crippled'.
"Businesses, pubs and restaurants are all suffering," remarked Clr. Mrs. Brown. "We need to all join together as a town to come through this, otherwise Tenby will die if we don't. I feel that strongly."
However, Clr. Mike Evans said he didn't agree with the statement that Tenby was dying.
"Whilst I share the same concerns, we mustn't talk everything down in this time.
"Within Tudor Square, shops such as the Peacocks chain have just recorded record profits in Wales, while another positive note would show that Bourne Leisure have offered considerable faith in the product of Tenby with their investment at Kiln Park. If you speak to Coastal Cottages, they will tell you that they are 15 per cent up on bookings, while FBM holidays will show you very positive figures," he stated.
On the subject of the business rates, Clr. Evans explained that Pembrokeshire County Council only collected the rates and did not have control on where they went, pointing out that the Welsh Assembly Government was solely in control of the rates and it was that authority that people should be writing to.
"Tenby is still a vibrant, working community and there is light on the horizon," he added. "We must emphasise the town's strengths and show that we have tremendous faith in the product of Tenby."
Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, felt that the council should 'dip their toe in the water' and write to the Welsh Assembly, asking for a reduction in business rates.
Councillors voted in favour of this proposal.