The situation for traders at Tenby market who have been unable to open during the lockdown has become ‘dire’ a local county councillors has admitted - with fears that the facility which has been in existence in the heart of the town since 1290 could be lost if financial help is not forthcoming.

Traders at the market hall have been campaigning to get financial support during the pandemic, writing to Welsh Government ministers and Pembrokeshire County Council enquiring as to why they continue to be overlooked for any grant scheme funding since being forced to close.

One trader at the market on High Street, Paul Deverson who runs a photography and picture framing business has stated that the ‘stress and fear’ of losing his business has caused him such anxiety it has affected his mental health, as he has been left ‘constantly sick’ with worry about what the future holds.

With traders’ business rates included in the rent they pay to PCC, Mr. Deverson has previously explained that he and others are unable to apply for government funding for the ‘self-employed’ because they do not have a business rates reference number.

County councillor for Tenby’s north ward, Clr. Michael Williams is worried that the traders appear to be on the ‘cusp of total failure’ if they do not receive some form of financial help soon.

“I’m still at a loss as to why this matter appears so intractable,” he said. “I’m at a loss to understand why PCC are unable to exercise the discretion that appears to be available under the business support scheme.

“For the first time in many years we have a viable market with a range of goods available, but unless support can be found there is little doubt that many small traders currently operating there will be driven out of business.

“These are small traders which deserve our support at this time, when we see multi nationals being helped out. I know that Helen Mary Jones MS has been seeking help and clarification from the Finance Minister with a limited degree of help coming from his department. If help isn’t forthcoming I fear that we will lose our market,” added Clr.Williams.

Mr. Deverson has asked once again as to why there is a lack of support for such traders.

“What is happening to us and our business is an absolute disgrace. Pembrokeshire County Council has still not awarded us a rent break like other authorities in the country have, meaning that we have still had zero funding, support or help,” he remarked.

How can they treat local businesses like this? PCC are still hanging on to see what funding we may receive; but when asked why they are putting us on hold and failing to support us and when asked by MPs and the press, they refuse to give an answer!

“The Welsh Labour Government are doing nothing to help us either. There is going to be another eligibility checker introduced on June 15, however, it’s been over 12 weeks since we’ve had any help!

“We need to know when we will receive the help and support we need; we are unable to wait until June 15 - as we’ve had no income for 12 weeks!

“We feel that the Welsh Labour Government are still discriminating against us and playing some damaging and detrimental lucky dip game with our businesses.

“Why can’t they hold their hands up, and admit that they were letting certain rate-paying businesses down?” added Mr. Deverson.

In correspondence to Mr. Deverson, PCC’s head of economic development and regeneration, Rachel Moxey stated: “As you are aware, along with all the other local authorities in Wales, Pembrokeshire is administrating the Welsh Government’s Grant for Businesses in Wales linked to Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) which as its name suggests is only open to businesses on the NDR rating list. There is no discretion for local authorities to pay this grant to businesses not on the NDR rating list.

“My understanding is that the decision to designate/categorise market stalls as separate NDR units is not a decision that the local authority can take; it is a decision for the Valuation Office. Essentially therefore, the Council is not able to allocate a NDR number to enable you to receive grant.

“I am conscious that this will not be what you want to hear but the Council is unable to provide a different response at this time. I can assure you that we continue to lobby, via officer groups, to Welsh government to make further grant support available to businesses such as yourselves, who have not received financial support to date,” she added.In further correspondence to Ken Skates the Welsh Minister for Economy, Mr. Deverson stated: “We pay our business rates through our rent to PCC, you have put them in a terrible position as you will not award them discretion to pay us through the rates relief grant. “The English Conservative Government saw these failings and corrected it as they don’t discriminate against the way our business rates are collected like the Welsh Government does!“Please confirm that you intend to include us as sole traders not companies or you and you only will be responsible for the failure of our businesses! “We deserve the same support and a level playing field as the businesses you have supported on the very same High Street as we trade on. “This is clearly discrimination by the WG as you have had plenty of time to amend this as which can done easily and quickly as demonstrated in England. “I thought your Labour government prided themselves on fighting for what is right so here is your chance to step up!”