Local councillors have been told that the deadline is ticking on a decision over the future of Tenby’s Tourist Information Centre, which has been earmarked for closure unless ways can be found to make it viable.

The facility was given a stay of execution for the summer with Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet agreeing to keep it open until October while they investigated ways of retaining the TIC with the town council and local tourism sector stakeholders.

Members of Tenby Town Council met with PCC’s head of procurement, Paul Ashley Jones, at their meeting on Tuesday night, who had previously stated that the authority were looking at how the £45,000 staffing costs could be covered, and if a way could be found to make the TIC cost neutral to ensure it would be retained.

Mr. Ashley-Jones told councillors that Cabinet would be discussing the matter on October 7, and that he needed to put a report together by the end of this month, garnering feedback from the likes of the town council if they had any ideas on ways of making the facility a ‘cost neutral model’ going forward.

PCC had themselves looked at ways of supplementing the costs through the introduction of a catering facility selling teas, coffees and snacks etc before the summer, and Mr. Ashley-Jones told councillors that he would be taking on board feedback from the facility’s catering team on whether this had been successful over the holiday period, and whether it was a viable option for the future.

Tenby Mayor, Clr. Tony Brown, said that he had been into the TIC over the summer to see how the catering facility was progressing, and had several cups of tea himself, but believed that the staff working there had not been provided with enough cooking facilities to make a success of it.

“There were no pasties or paninis available, which I’m sure had been discussed, so there was not really any catering going on at all!” he said.

“Also I think the staff were a bit upset that they had been told that they’d have the facility to make ice creams, but were only given one flavour, so I don’t understand that myself personally. Even though PCC had spent the money introducing this catering option, I feel it wasn’t good enough, and it was a bit cramped in there for what they were trying to achieve,” continued the Mayor.

Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane said she too felt that the venture into catering for the TIC would not be viable just selling teas and coffees to make money.

Mr. Ashley-Jones said that if PCC felt that there was scope there to make this facility work, then they would invest more, telling councillors that he’d be relying on the catering team for feedback to put into his report.

“I believe it was quiet to start with, but they had hoped that things would pick up over the six-week school holiday,” he explained.

“If this side of things is considered to make the facility viable, then the Pembs catering team would run that side of things and combine their outlet with the TIC.”

The Mayor said that local tourist attractions and businesses that used the TIC to place their promotional pamphlets and leaflets could be charged an annual fee to do this, with his colleague, the Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, agreeing.

“In our foyer area at the De Valence Pavilion we were inundated with pamphlets, brochures and booklets all advertising local attractions - but we’ve made the decision now to refuse to have them, and asked businesses if they are willing to pay to test their reaction, but I don’t think any of them will pay.

“I don’t see it as fair that they’re getting free advertising space, and we’re getting nothing, but I do think that the TIC could go down this avenue of charging,” added Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Clr. Mrs. Lane said that she hoped that reduced opening hours over the winter months would be considered to at least keep the facility open over the holiday season.

Clr. Laurence Blackhall asked if PCC had gone down the route of exploring letting of the building if they felt that they were not willing to continue with the facility, and would they consider a community company if one came forward to take over the running of the TIC.

Mr. Ashley-Jones said that they had not looked at that option yet, but would potentially be open to discussions if such a business venture existed.

Councillors agreed to put a report together for Mr. Ashley-Jones by September 12 before he presents his own report to the cabinet.