More control measures have been called for to strike a balance between protecting public health during the pandemic, and welcoming tourism back into Tenby, a local councillor has stated this week.

With the recent hot weather, lifting of travel restrictions in Wales and holiday accommodation re-opening, Tenby and other parts of Pembrokeshire have seen a large influx of holidaymakers and day-trippers return to seaside and coastal areas.

On Sunday, Pembrokeshire County Council and the National Trust reported that there were access problems into areas of the county, with car parks at Freshwater West, Stackpole Quay and Bosherston at capacity, and further parking facilities at Amroth, Saundersfoot and Tenby full, as locals and visitors alike headed to the county’s beaches and beauty spots.

With pubs, bar, cafes and restaurants not likely to be give the go-ahead by the Welsh Government to open indoors until August 3, concerns have already been raised in the community over a high volume of ‘outdoor drinking’ in resorts such as Tenby, and social distancing measures not being adhered to on the cobbled streets of the town.

Dyfed-Powys Police launched the Operation Lion scheme ahead of the weekend, which aims to ensure public safety and deter anti-social behaviour, low level public order and drink related problems, to make Tenby a pleasurable place to visit over the forthcoming summer months.

Temporary signage has been provided throughout the town regarding Covid-19 guidance relating to staying safe and maintaining social distancing and retail businesses have been able to take advantage of a traffic free environment for the purpose of customer queuing, where appropriate, as part of the summer pedestrianisation scheme which runs daily from 11 am to 5.30 pm.

The introduction of ‘Café Culture’ inside the walled town has helped businesses in terms of utilising outdoor space for tables and chairs and queuing systems, however, county councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Clr. Michael Williams has called on Pembrokeshire County Council to liaise further with local police officers to provide an integrated response to what he is calling a matter of ‘public safety and health’ with many seen to be not adhering to the ‘two-metre’ guidelines in place in Wales.

The matter was highlighted on the weekend by traders at Tenby Market Hall situated on High Street who stated that there was a ‘huge influx of people’ that took to entering the premises to eat and drink takeaway food and beverages that were bought away from the market, taking to sitting on the floor to consume their purchases.

“It was crazy and very scary under the current circumstances,” said one market trader.

“There were people sat on the floor eating take away food and drinking coffee that were purchased from out side of the market and social distancing was not possible!

“Luckily the police were nearby and took control. We have a duty to protect traders and public and the entrance and exits need to be controlled,” they added.

In correspondence to Dr Steven Jones, Pembrokeshire county council’s director of development, Clr. Williams stated: “We have an issue in the town where no cafes or restaurants are able to offer indoor seating, resulting in huge numbers consuming food and drinks on the highway and footpaths, or seeking areas such as the market which offers shelter.

“For the safety of traders and their customers we must offer at least an element of control. These are extraordinary circumstances which require an extraordinary approach, and PCC must be seen to be proactive at this time. The number of visitors is huge, with social distancing having been in the majority of cases abandoned. Hence my request that we act in this way.

“In terms of the indoor market hall in Tenby - the authority needs urgently to place staff at the entrance to restrict the numbers of people entering the building.

“I am aware the Operation Lion has been activated by the police, and it might be an idea to liaise with local officers to provide an integrated response to what is a matter of public safety and health.

“Recently Tenby has on occasion given the appearance of being one huge beer garden with alcohol being consumed on the streets. I have sought clarification on this and it is something which should not be tolerated.

“I am fully aware that our major generator of income is tourism, but there must be a balance between the quality of life of those that reside permanently in the town and needs of this industry.

“I fear that the imbalance recently needs to be mitigated. We prosper by offering a quality product, that quality needs protecting and enhancing, unless we act we will lose that reputation, which has been hard earned,” continued Clr. Williams, who has also raised the subject of ‘street traders’ such as hair braiders not adhering to Welsh Government legislation when it comes to trading in areas such as Tudor Square

“They are not practicing any social distancing, and this issue needs urgent attention. I look forward to seeing a concerted proactive approach to address these issues immediately,” he stated in correspondence to PCC’s street care and parking manager Marc Owen.

In response to some of the concerns raised by Clr. Williams, Dr. Jones stated: “The Council established a Tourism Unlocking Group last week to coordinate our intelligence and response to the easing of restrictions and the onset of visitors across the county.

“The Group includes the Council’s current Incident Management Centre, Police, PCNPA etc and operates from 8 am to 10 pm, seven days a week with daily briefings and meetings.

“We have deployed enforcement staff and new ‘welcome guides’ (ambassadors) on top of existing staff.

“We are working with HR to redeploy staff to control the entry and exit to Tenby market and hope to have this in situ as soon as practicable,” he explained.

On the subject of street drinking in Tenby, PCC’s lead officer for licensing, Charlotte Mathias said: “Following the Regulations and Guidelines from Welsh Government, some businesses have remained open during the lock-down period to provide take away food and drink. If their premises licence is authorised for off-sales of alcohol, the selling of alcohol has also been permitted for consumption off and away from the premises.

“Whilst traditionally off-sales from pubs, cafes and restaurants has been closely linked to on-sales with people leaving the premises to consume food or drink in the beer gardens, this can go beyond the licensed areas marked on the premises plans, allowing people to move further away from the premises and even take away to the local vicinity including beaches, parks etc.

“The requirement of off-sales being sold in ‘sealed’ containers can only be imposed where the sale is from a members club or where there is a specific condition attached the premises licence.

“From Monday, July 13, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes were allowed to start serving customers and permit the consumption of food and drink at outdoor seating areas within the curtilage of their premises. For businesses with outdoor areas, this has been an easier transition, however the businesses with small or no outdoor space are continuing to sell food and alcohol for consumption off the premises. This inevitably will result in their customers taking alcohol to drink in public areas.

“We are aware of some of the concerns raised by local residents in Tenby and increased joint monitoring with our colleagues in Food Safety, working in partnership with Dyfed Powys Police will be taking place throughout the summer months to reassure the residents and public,” she added.The Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall also expressed some frustration today (Monday) in response to the challenges of a busy weekend in Tenby. “Observe social distancing, be kind to others and put your rubbish in a bin or take it home. How hard can it be?" she remarked.“These are challenging times. I keep saying there is a balance between opening up services and keeping people safe. If everyone works together we can make this work. But that needs visitors, locals and business to co-operate.”Praising the support from Pembrokeshire County Council, the Mayor continued: “They have worked with business to make ‘Café Culture’ happen. We now need businesses and customers to take care that this works for everyone, including those who merely want to move around the town and to and from their homes.” Speaking out about the perennial problem of street traders she added: “They are an obstruction, they are not capable of observing social distancing and they are a nuisance in normal times, let alone where we are now! People should report problems to the police and I ask visitors not to give them any money.”Clr. Mrs. Skyrme-Blackhall has been keen to welcome visitors back to Tenby but she is also eager that visitors respect the Town and its people. “This is a beautiful place, and we have a lovely community. Of course you want to come and visit but please be kind and respectful. Staff in shops, market and businesses are there to help you. You can help them by politely following the rules."“We know it is difficult and there are challenges but let us keep working together, be kind and stay safe,” she added.