A redesign of Tenby’s De Valence frontage is in the pipeline, with plans to turn the building’s former cafe into a ‘community hub’ now being put back to later in the year.

Tenby Town Council has stated that it is still working to develop the former cafe space at the front of the venue, which will house the Council’s offices; an innovative community hub with information about local services; and a financial services partner offering banking and deposit services.

The ‘sails’ at the front of the venue located on Upper Frog Street, originally erected in 1999 were removed this month, with the De Valence CIC Board said to be keen to remove them as part of the structure, following discussions with the Town Council.

“In recent years there has been increased issues with maintenance and concerns over some safety aspects whilst undertaking routine maintenance,” explained Town Council clerk Andrew Davies.

“There will be some further redesign of the frontage designed to help promote the De Valence Pavilion and other services that will be in the building.”

On the ‘community hub’ plans, which were revealed earlier this year, Mr Davies continued: “This is an exciting but complex development and there are a number of lease issues that need to be resolved before alteration work can begin.

“This has resulted in the planned opening in August being put back to the end of the year.”

Mr Davies explained that with the area of the front of the building being left vacant for the time being, until the hub plans come to fruition, a temporary arts space has been set up, with a launch night being well attened, after the seaside town’s mayor Cllr Dai Morgan and fellow councillor and local artist Tom Sloan set up the Tenby Arts Events initiative.

“The Tenby Arts Events initiative has sparked great enthusiasm and it was felt that the front of the building could house a temporary pop-up art and creative space until such time as alteration works are ready to begin,” continued Mr Davies.

“This is really a creative space displaying work of local artists and, more importantly, local schools.

“The space is being used to promote collaboration and co-operation between artists and creative producers. It is not a commercial venture but a promotional one.

“There is also a meeting facility; and people interested in booking the venue as a meeting room should contact the Town Council office.”