One of Tenby’s charitable organisations have criticised a suggestion to introduce a ‘blanket ban’ on banners being displayed in the resort to promote events stating that it would have a ‘negative impact’ on fundraising efforts.

At last week’s meeting of the town council, the town clerk Andrew Davies told councillors that his offices and Pembrokeshire County Council’s street care manager Marc Owen had started to receive ‘growing complaints’ about the volume of promotional and advertising banners, boards and posters that were cropping up around the town, particularly on the railings by the Norton overlooking the North Beach which had been a popular spot to display such items.

It had been pointed out that as other business enterprises and promoters advertising events outside of Tenby now seemed to be taking advantage of the spot on the railings, and other areas of the town, PCC’s street care manager Mr. Owen suggested that for transparency, consistency and fairness to all, that no banners should be placed in such areas, as it came down to an issue of flyposting, which was illegal.

“In the past PCC and the town council had tended to turn a blind eye to banners in this spot that promoted say a charity event or fundraising concert taking place in Tenby itself as such, if it went up a week before the event and came down the day after, but we’ve started to get growing complaints, and in particular from the residents of Paxton Court,” explained Mr. Davies.

Tenby Round Table who utilise areas such as the railings overlooking the North Beach to promote their charitable events such as the popular Summer Spectaculars held down the harbour have stated that they are ‘very disappointed’ to hear of the discussion of a blanket ban on advertising in and around the town.

“During our organisation’s 60 years of fundraising for the local community we have relied on banners and signage to promote our charity events,” said the Round Table’s Ed Spence.

“The money we raise from these event is put back into the town with a range of donation and events. This includes our annual senior citizens dinner where we were delighted to welcome many residents of Paxton Court to enjoy an evening of food, drink and entertainment paid for entirely by our events.

“While we understand the frustration caused by companies and non-charitable organisations displaying inappropriate signage we feel a blanket ban would have a hugely negative impact on our fundraising efforts.

“This would in turn have a direct impact on our ability to donate the funds we raise back to the people and charities of Tenby and the surrounding area,” he added, urging the the council and PCC to reconsider any blanket ban of this nature.

Commenting on the matter, Tenby town council member Clr. Paul Rapi said that he disagreed with any ‘blanket ban’ and felt that the Authority were showing double standards, as they had failed to tackle the issue of advertising A-Frames blocking walkways across the streets of the town over the past few years, despite numerous complaints.

He suggested that the town council come up with their own policy on what can or can’t be allowed to enable them to decide on merit.