A call to relocate Tenby Town Council’s office to a vacant café to improve access and allow a community hub and banking service to be created has been approved by National Park planners - although planned banking services from the facility have been put on hold for the time being.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the Town Council sought permission for a change of use of the café, empty since late 2022, to allow for the relocation of its office from its current location at the De Valence Pavilion building, Upper Frog Street, to the vacant area at the front, to increase service provision through a community information hub.

The application also sought permission to install a One Banx machine in association with the Principality Building Society to provide access to cash deposit and withdrawal services across all banks who are part of the Open Banking Network.

Tenby Town Council said the new offices ‘will enable office space that is more inclusive; well-lit and step free, with wide access doors, ensuring people with mobility issues, visual impairment, cognitive challenges and other disabilities find the premises physically accessible’.

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.

Following the decision, town clerk Andrew Davies stated: “Principality Building Society were involved in the original concept proposals and hence they were specifically referenced in the planning application.

“Following ongoing discussions and consultations with both the Principality Building Society and the local Chamber of Trade, the Council are reviewing the most appropriate way to provide some form of banking facility within the hub. Discussions will be ongoing.

“In the meantime, the Council is progressing with developing the first phase of the hub - council offices, information and advice services - with the aim of adding further services in line with the planning approval in due course,” he added.