Tenby’s summer pedestrianisation began today, with Pembrokeshire County Council stating that the scheme is of particular importance this year in terms of supporting businesses and tourism to the area, whilst at the same time ensuring that the risk to the public, residents, and businesses alike, is managed appropriately in terms of the pandemic.

The scheme which will operate daily between 11 am and 5.30 pm until Friday, September 11, again sees the town divided into three zones with each zone allowing different levels of vehicle access.

Temporary signage has been provided throughout the town regarding Covid-19 guidance relating to staying safe and maintaining social distancing and retail businesses will be able to take advantage of a traffic free environment for the purpose of customer queuing, where appropriate.

In terms of ‘Café Culture’ under normal circumstances this would be permitted as part of the pedestrianisation scheme. However, current Covid-19 guidance and regulations from the Welsh Government do not permit for Café Culture at this present time.

PCC have confirmed that they are working on consents for ‘Café Culture’ from July 13, and are liaising with Welsh Government.

Although consents cannot be granted at this stage, PCC have welcomed expressions of interest into the authority, so when Covid-19 regulations are amended to allow for external seating areas, PCC can then ensure there are no delays.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Licensing and Major Events, Phil Baker, said: “Given the Covid-19 regulations it is likely many more establishments will be considering the possibilities of utilising outdoor spaces.

“We would urge those running cafes, public houses, restaurants etc to think about how Café Culture could work for their premises and to get in touch so we can understand the demand and get the necessary plans in place.”

It should be noted that consent will not be granted until such time as current regulations are amended to permit Café Culture.

The Park and Ride service will again operate from the Salterns car park stopping at the Green car park and South Parade.

Social distancing restrictions will mean that the capacity of the buses will be reduced and passengers will therefore be encouraged to give priority to disabled and elderly persons in the first instance.

The Park and Ride service will start on Saturday, July 25 and run every 20 minutes between 10 am to 6 pm and finishing on August 31, although this may be extended should demand require.

“The Authority has been working hard to set up this year’s scheme as Covid-19 restrictions have added additional challenges,” said a spokesperson for PCC.

“We look forward to working with everyone to ensure the scheme runs as successfully as in previous years.”

Tenby councillors also suggested last week that the pedestrianisation scheme be extended this year further into the evening, until 8 pm, to help businesses and shops in the town who have missed out on weeks of trading due to the lockdown.

“When Café Culture is allowed, the ability for cafes and restaurants to serve in the open air later in the evening will also allow for potential visitors to be dissipated around various establishments in a socially distanced manner,” said the clerk to Tenby town council Andrew Davies.

The hospitality sector will begin to re-open outdoors in Wales from July 13, if cases of coronavirus continue to fall, the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language Eluned Morgan stated last week with a phased re-opening plan for bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants to be implemented, to look at how the industry can safely be re-opened.

The first phase will see the re-opening of outdoor spaces owned by business and subject to existing licenses.

The re-opening of indoor services will be considered later, depending on the success of outdoor opening; the ongoing coronavirus situation in Wales and other measures businesses put in place to reduce the risk of transmission, such as pre-booking, table service only, and even the use of apps.

The Minister also announced the date that owners of self-contained accommodation can accept bookings was being brought forward to July 11 from July 13, to help with the pattern of Saturday-to-Saturday bookings.