One of Tenby's main entertainment venues was criticised by a town councillor this week for being "underused."
At Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain spoke of her concerns regarding the De Valence Pavilion after she had attended the annual general meeting of the De Valence Trust the previous evening.
"I was amazed at the fact that the accounts for the last year were only given out five minutes before the meeting commenced, giving us no time to prepare any questions," stated Clr. Mrs. Putwain, who was nominated as a representative on the trustees when she was elected as a councillor in May. "Surely it would be better if we received them two to three weeks before.
"The secretary wasn't even aware that I'd been appointed to represent the town council on the De Valence Trustees.
"The accountant also seemed very worried about the deficit and I'm worried, too, as I think that the facility is very much underused, with not enough functions going on, especially in the daytime," she added.
However, her fellow trustee member and councillor Paul Rapi was quick to defend the venue.
"I don't think the accountant said he was particularly worried, I just think he said that things could be better," he remarked. "The De Valence isn't necessarily something that is going to make a huge profit, but more to provide something for the community, and I think that a lot has been achieved with the Trust in a short space of time, with a lot more going on in the town than before thanks to the Trust."
Clr. Julie Evans agreed that the Trust should be applauded for what it had achieved in recent years. "Cast your mind back 20 years ago and the building was on its knees, so it's commendable what has been done recently," she said.
"The De Valence has had good years and bad years throughout its life, but it's about time that appreciation is shown for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes," added Clr. Trevor Hallett.