A Tenby county councillor has highlighted the importance of the town’s market hall, which despite being in a ‘deplorable’ state after many years of ‘neglect’ by Pembrokeshire County Council, could be a ‘focal point’ for the seaside’s High Street if the Local Authority made much needed investment in the seaside town.

County Councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams has now submitted a Notice of Motion to the Local Authority for PCC to initiate a full structural survey of the market to establish the condition of the building, together with an examination of its potential.

“The building is a Listed building of considerable historical significance in the Town centre, which has sadly lacked investment over many years,” remarked Cllr Williams in his submission.

In correspondence to PCC’s Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, and Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cllr Williams has called for significant investment in the market hall.

“The most important requirement in Tenby is the refurbishment of the market which currently is in a deplorable state after many years of neglect by Pembrokeshire County Council,” commented Cllr Williams.

“This market could be a marvellous focal point for the town centre, and is already almost full of small retailers, who deserve our support.

“I understand that some initial investigations have been carried out relating to the roof structure, which in itself will require I estimate, a major capital investment of £1.5 million.

“This work would involve the closure of Upper Frog Street and the partial closure of the Hight Street, but it would represent a major investment in the centre of Tenby in a town that has seen absolutely no investment from PCC!

“Bearing in mind the initial survey work that has I understand has been carried out, could a report be brought to cabinet in the near future?” he added.

Concerns regarding the poor condition of the Market Hall were raised with local politicians and councillors at the start of the year.

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, joined Cllr. Williams and Tenby Town Councillor Paul Rapi on a visit to the facility, where they met with stallholders in the Market Hall to talk about the current challenges facing retailers in Tenby.

Front and centre were traders’ concerns about their dissatisfactory dealings with Pembrokeshire County Council, which has responsibility for maintaining the Market Hall and for letting its units for retail and storage.

These concerns included a lack of effective communication from the County Council, delays in processing and issuing tenancy agreements, empty units going unfilled, and the Market Hall’s state of disrepair.

There were particular concerns regarding leaks in the roof, which leave the hall liable to flooding.

A meeting was then set up between PCC’s chief executive and leader where traders were able to voice their concerns.