Several businesses, residents and councillors in Tenby are calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to make a concerted effort to tackle ongoing issues of unauthorised street trading in the centre of the walled town - which has caused greater concern this summer in light of the stringent government guidelines for businesses to follow in relation to Covid-19 regulations.

More control measures have already been called for to strike a balance between protecting public health during the pandemic, and welcoming tourism back into Tenby, and with Tudor Square especially busy during the pedestrianisation scheme (which runs daily from 11 am to 5.30 pm) claims that ‘service providers’ such as hair braiders and tattooists are not adhering to health and safety measures, have sparked further concerns in recent weeks.

Action has long been called for by members of Tenby town council and several businesses within the walled town to combat “pedlars” blocking the town’s streets, walkways and historical areas such as the Five Arches, but a recently revised street trading policy by Pembrokeshire County Council does not cover those providing services such as hair braids and fake tattoos as they do not fall within the definition of ‘street trading’ under the Local Government act, with a report stating that - “oversight and enforcement of pedlar activity is a police matter.”

One trader in Tenby highlighting the issue told the Observer: “In previous years this has always been an issue but now in the midst of a global pandemic where sanitising and Covid regulations must be applied it has become even more alarming. They are clearly breaching Covid-19 regulations and risking the health of those around them!

“It seems odd that beauticians and many other sectors were not allowed to operate until the Government gave the go-ahead, and those of us that are open have had to invest heavily in PPE and new procedures, yet these people can street trade with Pembrokeshire County Council seemingly quite happy to let it go!

“I personally have observed one lady who is located in Tudor Square, with no gloves, no sign of sanitiser or records kept for track and trace.

“It is astounding to think in the current climate that PCC is allowing this to happen!” they continued.

“For the best part of a decade local businesses and residents within the town walls of Tenby have been lobbying and petitioning for the removal of an old by law which allows pedlars and service providers such as mobile tattooists and hair braiders to operate within the town walls.

“Retailers, cafes and restaurants go to great lengths to make their properties look appealing and attractive on top of paying premium rates to afford positions within the town walls - yet beyond a dozen street traders can come in to the town during peak season, occupy pavements or any area they so wish to sell their wares, usually on some awful looking cart that they have wheeled in, creating a tacky looking market atmosphere!

“Pembrokeshire county council don’t seem interested in policing the matter at all, a simple historic by law allows this culture to exist, a free market, non tax paying, non-covid complying free for all which is a potential time bomb in terms of a localised outbreak,” they continued.

A response given from a PCC Environmental Health Officer to one trader flagging up concerns this month stated: “One of our officers has visited the street traders in Tenby this week.

“They have discussed the appropriate Welsh guidance that they need to be following in order to comply with Covid legislation and we are monitoring the situation.”

Another trader who has contacted PCC’s street care manager Marc Owen and Lead Licensing Officer Charlotte Mathias highlighting concerns that the ‘pedlars’ are persistently not using any PPE or observing social distancing said: “These people are risking all of us in Tenby, with their lack of observation of the requirements they must follow due to Covid-19

“Hairdressers have been ruthlessly controlled and only allowed to open when sanitation is fully in place; yet how can these people be operating, without screens, hand washing facilities, PPE, and without cleansing their hands or their stools that they stand the children on, in between clients.

“How are the tattooists able to use their equipment on children, without sterilising them between each chip? It is all over Facebook, with residents posting pictures of these people, inches from children’s faces when they are painting them!

“Can you imagine what it is like for hairdressers, beauty parlours and indeed any business in Tenby that has to meet stringent regulations regarding PPE, screens, distancing and appointments, only to see this blatant infringement, that risks spreading the virus and destroying the economy of the town!

“We are fighting to ensure that there is no further spike in Tenby.

“Representing traders and concerned residents we find PCC’s response to this situation is wholly inadequate. This is far more serious than they are recognising,” they added.

County councillor Michael Williams, who represents the Tenby North ward has long called for Pembrokeshire County Council to tackle the matter of unauthorised street trading more strictly, calling them an “absolute eyesore” for the historic town.

He has once again this week contacted PCC’s street care manager over the matter, calling for action to be taken, stating in correspondence: “I would like a concerted effort to address the issue of these traders currently operating in the town.

“It might be necessary to explore a byelaw which I do understand will be quite expensive, but these activities must be curtailed.

“I can’t understand why the police are unable to prosecute them for obstruction, but no doubt there will be some excuse as to why this can’t be done. There appears to be a reluctance to address this matter which is concerning, surely other more forward looking authorities that care for there conservation areas have taken the kind of action that could be learnt from.

“I would like the legal department to look at this problem again and to come up with a solution,” added Clr. Williams.

Speaking out recently about the perennial problem of street pedlars, the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Skyrme-Blackhall also remarked: “They are an obstruction, they are not capable of observing social distancing and they are a nuisance in normal times, let alone where we are now!

“People should report problems to the police and I ask visitors not to give them any money.”