With Ironman Wales organisers announcing that next year’s triathlon will take place earlier in September, questions have been asked as to whether this will bring as much benefit to the local economy, by not holding the sporting event - which brings thousands of spectators to Tenby and its surrounding area - further out of the summer season.

Ironman Wales has announced that the 2023 event in Tenby will take place on the weekend of Sunday, September 3, a week ahead of usual, as it seems that the tide times on the usual date, do not favour holding it on September 10.

One Observer reader has asked if it would be more feasible to move it back a week to Sunday, September 17, rather than bring it forward a week, believing it would benefit local businesses and the hospitality trade.

“Positioning Ironman outside the schools holiday extends the season in Tenby by a week, maybe even two, which helps compensate a wide range of non-food businesses for the lack of trade during the Ironman weekend,” they stated.

“Much holiday accommodation will already be booked, and will leave a large number of holidaymakers and Ironman competitors and their entourages unable to book anything in the last week of August. Both parties will suffer.

“In addition, two main car parks - the Seafront and Five Arches - will be out of commission from the Tuesday onwards in the last busy holiday week of the year.

“No businesses will benefit from this move - those that trade well during Ironman will be deprived of the extra week’s business that they usually enjoy between the end of the school holidays and the arrival of the Ironman competitors, and those that don’t trade so well will be hit by less trade during the last of their busy six weeks schools holiday period due to the influx of Ironman people at the expense of schoolchildren and their families.

“Was there any consultation between Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillors, Tenby Town Council and traders and hospitality businesses before this move was agreed?” they added.

The local authority announced last year that Ironman will remain a Pembrokeshire sporting fixture for a further five years, as a new host sponsorship agreement with Ironman Ltd up until 2026 was approved.

County councillor for Tenby’s South ward, and the town’s Mayor Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall says she has been ‘assured’ that the date change for the event, which has been successfully hosted by the county since 2011, will be a one-off

“It was good to see Ironman back after three years and it was a very successful weekend for the town as a whole,” remarked Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall.

“I understand that the date for next year is earlier than normal. I know that PCC have had discussions with Ironman as this date is a week earlier than most years.

“A combination of tide times and the Ironman international schedule has meant County have agreed to this date.

“It is the first time in 10 years that it is being held this early. I have been assured that this will be a one-off,” she added.