Work is due to start this month on a new ‘Community Hub’ at Tenby’s De Valence Pavilion, although doubt has been raised as to whether the premises will now house once promised banking facilities for the town.

Tenby Town Council announced almost a year ago that it was pushing forward with plans to develop the venue’s vacant cafe into a ‘Community Hub’ to occupy the empty premises at the front of the building on Upper Frog Street.

As well the building housing new quarters for the Town Council offices, it was stated that the new hub could also include some form of banking services for the seaside town, after the news that the last branch in Tenby - HSBC would be closing.

County councillor for the South ward Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall had revealed that she was in ‘discussions’ that could lead to new banking services for the town, revealing at the time that talks were ‘ongoing’ - and that the scheme was ‘backed by a major player in the market’.

With plans submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at the end of last year, the clerk to Tenby Town Council Andrew Davies has now given an update, stating that contractors for building/electrical works had been appointed to convert the former cafe, with the aim for it to be ready by mid-April.

“At the moment what we will be able to deliver within the Hub is still evolving. However, on day one the council offices will be housed within the space and will be able to offer an enhanced range of services to the public,” said Mr Davies.

“At the moment the third party banking provider we were liaising with in relation to the provision of banking services have put their involvement on hold subject to further review,” he added.