A Tenby tour guide has criticised Pembrokeshire County Council for considering closing the town’s Tourist Information Centre.

Marion Davies, a Wales Blue Badge Guide with over 20 years of guiding experience, best known for her walking tours around the resort - The Story of Tenby and Ghost Walk of Tenby - has called PCC’s consultation on whether to close the TIC facility located on Upper Park Road ‘incomprehensible and short-sighted’.

“I am appalled at the proposed closure of Tenby TIC - it must surely be the busiest in the county,” wrote Marion in correspondence sent to the authority and Tenby Town Council.

“It is very well located at a major hub for the arrival of visitors so close to the multi-storey car park and also for locals who also use it.

“It is a vital link between attractions, accommodation and tourism providers. I know that the personnel go out of their way to help people, above and beyond the call of duty and provide an exemplary service representing the county.

“I cannot reasonably be expected to understand why, when tourism is one of the town’s most important employers, in what is largely a very poor county, that services that support, promote and advertise can be seen as surplus to requirement,” continued Marion, who has featured on various television and radio programmes, both nationally and internationally promoting Tenby, most recently appearing on the BBC Wales programme ‘Weatherman Walking’ with presenter Derek Brockway.

“The TIC service in Saundersfoot was cut some time ago and its location in the library is farcical, essentially being a few stands for a handful of leaflets! This is what seems is proposed for Tenby and that the only thing up for discussion is, where will the stands be?

“It is incomprehensible and short-sighted. Please do not remove this vital service!” she added.

The TIC has formed part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s budget consultation, along with customer service centres across the county as ??? are facing considerable budgetary constraints, and going forward are looking at service prioritisation with a view to either cutting back or ceasing some functions.

The consultation asks whether a community/town council TIC should be developed instead, or whether the service should be discontinued.

It was explained that one of the ideas put forward by PCC’s cabinet was the cessation of the Tourist Information Centre function in Tenby which would result in savings of some £45,000.

Members of Tenby Town Council stated last week that Pembrokeshire County Council would be ‘shooting themselves in the foot’ if they closed the town’s TIC.

“Tourism is the biggest industry in the county, and we’ve got to support the TIC in Tenby!” said the town’s Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane.

“The TIC does not just provide information for those staying in the town, but it is vital for those looking for information on places to visit across the whole of the county. We need to see if we can keep the facility where it is,” she added.