Market traders in Tenby were able to voice their concerns to Pembrokeshire County Council’s chief executive and leader last week, as they met with them at the facility.

Concerns regarding the poor condition of the Market Hall were raised with Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, Cefin Campbell before the New Year, when he joined County Councillor for Tenby’s North Ward Michael Williams and Tenby Town Councillor Paul Rapi on a visit to the seaside town’s historic indoor market located on High Street.

Front and centre were traders’ concerns about their dissatisfactory dealings with Pembrokeshire County Council, which has responsibility for maintaining the facility and for letting its units for retail and storage.

These concerns included a lack of effective communication from the County Council, delays in processing and issuing tenancy agreements, empty units going unfilled, and the Market Hall’s state of disrepair. There were particular concerns regarding leaks in the roof, which leave the hall liable to flooding.

Last week, following a visit to Tenby Museum and Art Gallery and the RNLI Lifeboat Station, PCC’s CEO Will Bramble CBE and leader David Simpson JP met with retailers who operate from the market.

Cllr Williams, previously stated: “I am deeply concerned that, contrary to assurances I have received from Council officers, a number of units in Tenby’s Market Hall are empty or going unused.

“I am aware of several business owners who have applied to make effective use of the space, but who have received no answer to their enquiries from the Council.

“Communication between the Council and the market’s existing traders also appears almost non-existent, and this is having a real impact on traders’ ability to run their businesses.

“The parlous state of the Market Hall is little short of disgraceful. Urgent action is required to secure the Market Hall’s future!”

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “The Council will continue to work closely with traders at Tenby Market and we are committed to communicating effectively with them.

“The Council’s Building Maintenance team completed a condition survey of the building before Christmas and considerations are needed about how work required on the market can be completed, and traders will of course be central to these considerations and discussions.”