'Deplorable' state of Tenby's former Avenue Centre building 'blights' area

Pembrokeshire County Council have been asked for an update on the former Avenue Centre building in Tenby, which has been left to deteriorate since being closed by the Local Authority.

Back in January of 2024, senior Pembrokeshire councillors backed plans to close two of the county’s centres for older adults and those with learning disabilities - including Tenby’s Avenue Centre, located on Greenhill Avenue.

Members of PCC’s cabinet backed a recommendation to approve the relocation of Day Services for older adults and adults with a learning disability to alternative venues.

A report for members said the alternative of keeping the existing services at Portfield SAC in Haverfordwest and Tenby’s Avenue Centre, together with investment and maintenance of the buildings, would have a minimum cost of £1,257,000; £640,419.02 and £616,581.34 respectively, with numbers of service users attending day centres rather than other facilities dropping since the Covid pandemic.

The report said: “It has been identified over recent years that there is a need to review the way in which Day Service and ‘Day Opportunities’ are provided in Pembrokeshire for both older people and people with learning disabilities.

“The historical arrangements rely on a large number of buildings and services being provided for people based on their disability/diagnosis rather than common interests.”

County councillor for Tenby’s North Ward, Cllr Michael Williams said a the time that the Avenue Centre (which is located in the same grounds as Tenby Library, also run by Pembrokeshire County Council) had provided a ‘vital service’ to disadvantaged families over the years.

Now, this month, in correspondence to PCC’s Head of Property and Construction, Cllr Williams has asked for an update on what action is being undertaken regarding the building.

He stated: “It is in an appalling condition and blights the entire area and has been empty for a number of years.

“It is unfair to nearby residents who keep their property in good order that the Local Authority fails to do the same. My understanding is that there might be a restrictive covenant on the building, can you confirm this is the situation?

“Urgent action should be taken to at the very least tidy the surrounding area and bearing in mind the parlous financial position of the authority and if the authority has no further use for it the building should be offered for sale at the earliest opportunity. I would assume that this is a valuable property even in its current deplorable condition,” he continued.

At the time of the closure of the building being approved by PCC, Cllr Williams remarked: “I am extremely disappointed that following the previous consultation, when serious deficiencies in the building were clearly known, no action has been taken to address the issues resulting in the building being left to deteriorate to such an extent that the authority now, possibly finds it being beyond repair.”

He also slammed the County Council for making the most ‘vulnerable in society’ to have to bear the brunt of financial cutbacks.