A Kilgetty business has blasted a ‘petty’ Pembrokeshire County Councillor who recently took a stance to combat companies ‘advertising’ businesses by parking vehicles overlooking sections of the roadway. It doesn’t seem that the Rib & Oyster will be ‘building any bridges’ anytime soon with the said local councillor, although his viewpoint has generated plenty of extra publiciity for the popular restaurant!

At a recent meeting of Amroth Community Council, county councillor for the ward Cllr Alec Cormack told members that Pembrokeshire County Council have had meetings with a company whose vehicle has ‘habitually parked’ on the bridge over the A477 and have received assurances that it will be permanently removed.

He told fellow councillors: “I have thanked officers for this, but also expressed my opinion to the streetcare team that there should be double yellow lines on all bridges over the A477 to avoid other companies doing this. Highways have agreed to monitor to see whether any parking restrictions can be introduced.”

Cllr Rosemary Tippet Maudsley thanked Cllr Cormack for his persistence regarding removal of the advertising vehicles on bridges over the A477, which she said were a ‘distraction for drivers’.

The company in question Rib & Oyster, which has a restaurant situated on Kilgetty’s Carmarthen Road have now taken a swipe at the county councillor; and what they perceive as a general lack of support for local businesses by Pembrokeshire Council.

The establishment shared on social media: “Yes this is our van its aimed at, although when we are not parked there, others also utilize the space. Unfortunately, the local council offers little support to our local businesses.

“They have chosen to ignore locked car parks and turn a blind eye to this ongoing issue yet rather highlight a perfectly legal form of advertising! We are unable to display advertisements like many other establishments do on the roadside across Pembrokeshire.

“The cost of obtaining a permanent road sign through the council runs into tens of thousands of pounds, yet in larger cities, billboards, banners and advertising balloons are commonplace and highly visible and not classed as a distraction?!

“How does this harm anyone? Our vehicle is parked legally, and its presence naturally slows traffic while effectively promoting our business. It is disheartening that a small family business, which employs 16 full-time staff and provides a valuable service to the community, faces such opposition.

“The current environment makes it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive, and it’s a real shame. Every day another local business posts that its closing its doors, and you can see why!”

Many took to social media to label the county councillor ‘petty’ and back the business over the matter, stating that the extra publicity he has given them, will help boost their profile.

Indeed a video response from the eatery to the councillor’s actions has been viewed over 100,000 times on Facebook - with the footage ending with the tagline ‘It’s a van not a crisis!’ - and the Rib & Oyster owners suggesting that the councillor should focus his efforts on fixing the many potholes across the county’s roadways, rather than being fixated on picking a fight with a local business.

A series of memes shared on social media by members of the public in jest, also sought to mock the councillor’s views.

Even Cllr Cormack’s fellow county councillors waded in on the debate, with the likes of Cllr Jonathan Grimes county councillor for Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, remarking: “If this is breaking the law or putting people in danger - fair enough - however with all the other issues facing businesses in our county I cannot see any reason for calling for "combating" this.

“Whilst it looks like business rates are going to hit businesses hard in the next few months - we should, as an authority, be helping our hard working entrepreneurs - not creating an climate of anti-ambition - we have enough of that from Welsh Government.

“I have nothing but respect for Gavin at Rib & Oyster - for his energy and drive in creating such a successful business that everyone in Pembrokeshire should be proud of!”

Owner of the Rib & Oyster, Gavin Davies (who also sits as a meber of Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council) has regularly welcomed well known personalties to the restaurant, in recent times, such as Joanna Page from Gavin & Stacey, singer and broadcaster Wynne Evans best known for being the ‘Go Compare’ advert man; along with top celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

The popular restaurant has also picked up accolades in recent years, including ‘Best Seafood Establishment’ at the Welsh Food Awards.