A business in Tenby’s Lower Frog Street has been denied permission by Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee to transform from a children’s play centre into a venue for weddings and civil ceremonies.

An application from Matthew Powell for a new premises licence at the Holy Grail (currently known as Ocean Commotion), was refused at a meeting on Monday.

The application was seeking to serve alcohol at the premises from 11 am until midnight, seven days a week, broadcast video karaoke and films, play live and recorded music, and feature other entertainment such as comedians and magic acts until 12.30 am and serve hot food and drink until 1 am.

Mr. Powell, who has owned the business for eight years, told the authority’s licensing sub-committee that it was no longer viable and had not taken a profit over that period.

He explained that the plan was to remove the children’s play equipment and restore the building to its former glory, predominantly to run it as a venue for weddings and civil ceremonies.

Nearly 40 letters of objection to the application were received by the authority, with Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society also writing to raise concerns.

“We feel that the length of opening hours requested and the activities envisaged, effectively from early morning to the early hours, is excessive,” wrote Tenby Civic Society chairman David Tudor Thomas, whilst clerk to Tenby Town Council Mr. Andrew Davies remarked in correspondence: “After considering the matter, the town council concurs with concerns expressed by the local residents in that part of Lower Frog Street that it is predominantly a residential area and any increase in licensable activities after midnight is bound to impact on the residents’ right to quiet enjoyment.”

County Councillor for Tenby Michael Williams also wrote to the committee to say that any extension of the number of premises offering alcohol for sale within the conservation area must be refused, for the sake of public safety.

“It must be now time to say no to any further expansion of licensed premises, as well as action against irresponsible licence holders,” he wrote.

“The situation in Tenby is at times out of control, and it is the licensing authorities responsibility to act,” added Clr. Williams.

The authority’s pollution control team said they strongly objected to the granting of the proposed licence, reporting to the committee that the premises was indeed in a residential area and very close to neighbouring properties, in the cumulative impact area.

Members of the licensing sub-committee refused the application, stating that it failed to promote the four licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of public disorder.