News
Bar 10 licensing hours extended
THE COUNTY COUNCIL’s Licensing Sub-Committee granted an extension of hours to a Tenby pub this Tuesday (Feb 18).
The Committee considered an application from the licensees of Bar 10 in St George’s Street to allow it to remain open until 2:00 am.
Tenby Town Council objected to the application and Cllr Paul Rapi represented the Town Council in front of the Committee.
Cllr Rapi told the Committee that people walking past the premises during the day tended to avoid the front of the premises ‘because it can be a bit lively for some people’.
Licensing officers issued a noise abatement to the bar in September last year.
Cllr Rapi said that he and other councillors continued to receive complaints about noise from the pub, even though those complaints had neither been recorded nor reported.
He continued: “Tenby Town Council want to see some sort of control over this noise that’s coming out of Bar 10.
“It’s the main street in Tenby, the sort of rowdiness that occurs between 5 and 7 pm in the summer is not acceptable.”
The Committee also heard from Police that there general noise and disturbance were prevalent in the confines of Tenby’s town centre during the summer months. The area around Bar 10 is a ‘cumulative’ noise area caused by the presence of a significant number of pubs and bars in the vicinity
A report regarding noise pollution prepared by the local authority said that ‘despite a number of complaints and interventions by … the Designated Premises Supervisor has not shown sufficient consideration and understanding of the need to control noise from activities at the premises to ensure disturbance is not caused to nearby residents’.
When cross-examined by the solicitor acting for the applicants, Mr David Lewis, the Council officer presenting that report, Nathan Miles, confirmed his department received no complaints about noise since a noise abatement was issued the preceding September. Questioned once more by Mr Lewis, Mr Miles also confirmed no complaints were received by the Council following the issue of seasonal temporary extensions granted to the premises over Christmas and New Year.
Objections to the hours’ variations raised by the Licensing Inspector, Geraint Griffiths were also examined both by members of the Committee and David Lewis.
Licensing inspector Geriant Griffiths said in the past there had been issues with CCTV not working and there was a “serious disregard for licensing objectives.”
During questioning, it emerged that the Licensing Inspector had no information about the premises following his previous visit to it over two years ago. The Licensing Inspector agreed that comments about the quality of CCTV in his report were similarly out of date. Mr David Lewis pointed out that the premises’ owners installed a new CCTV system at considerable expense after the Licensing Inspector’s 2017 visit. The Licensing Officer could not contradict the applicant’s solicitor on that point.
The most contemporary information in front of the Committee came from Dyfed Powys Police’s Pembrokeshire Licensing Officer, Nigel Lewis.
The Licensing Officer set out that he met with the applicants to discuss their application and conducted ‘amicable mediation’ regarding the most contentious elements of it. He explained how, once he related the level of opposition to the original proposal, the applicants eagerly embraced the opportunity to address concerns and alter their application from its original form.
Nigel Lewis was questioned closely by Cllr John Davies about public order incidents and related the only one linked to the premises in the last year was one in which staff were assaulted. The Herald reported that incident in our February 7 edition and confirm that a Torfaen man pleaded guilty to assaulting staff when he was asked to return inside the pub to prevent a public nuisance.
The Licensing Officer reported during mediation, the applicant accepted there appeared to an issue of noise escaping from the premises and they needed show diligence regarding it in the future
After retiring to consider their decision, the Committee reconvened and approved the application subject to the following conditions with immediate effect: Bar 10 would be permitted to serve drinks until 1:00 am on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday each week with the premises to be closed at 1:30 am; recorded music would end at midnight on each night; two qualified door staff would be engaged for weekend nights and also for other evenings to which extended hours applied; on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and on Sundays before a Monday Bank Holiday, Bar 10 could supply alcohol until 1:30 am and the premises must close by 2:00 am. On each of those dates, recorded music must stop at midnight.
Committee Chair Cllr Tim Evans concluded by adding the mediation conducted between Nigel Lewis and the applicants had ‘enhanced the application’.
News
Who is Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister-in-waiting?
The Greater Manchester mayor has spent years outside Westminster, but Starmer’s resignation has placed him on the brink of Number 10
ANDY BURNHAM has spent years being described as Labour’s future. Today, that future appears to have arrived.
Following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is now widely regarded as the overwhelming favourite to become Labour leader and Britain’s next Prime Minister.
For many people outside politics, Burnham is best known as the outspoken mayor who challenged Boris Johnson’s government during the COVID-19 pandemic. But his political career stretches back more than twenty years and includes some of the most senior jobs in government.
Born in Merseyside in 1970, Burnham grew up in a working-class family and has always remained closely associated with his northern roots. A lifelong Everton supporter, he has often spoken about the importance of community, public services and opportunity for ordinary families.
After studying English at Cambridge University, he worked briefly in journalism before entering politics. He was elected Labour MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester in 2001 and quickly became one of the party’s rising figures.
Under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Burnham climbed the ministerial ladder. He served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and later Health Secretary, giving him experience across some of the most important departments in government.
His first bid for the Labour leadership came in 2010, after Labour’s general election defeat. He lost to Ed Miliband, but the campaign raised his profile significantly. Five years later, he ran again, only to be defeated by Jeremy Corbyn in the contest that transformed Labour politics.
Rather than remain on the Westminster backbenches, Burnham made a bold move in 2017 by standing for the newly created role of Mayor of Greater Manchester. He won comfortably and went on to become one of the most recognisable regional politicians in Britain.
His national profile grew sharply during the pandemic, when he publicly challenged the UK Government over restrictions and financial support for northern cities. His confrontation with Downing Street won him praise from voters who felt their communities were being ignored by Westminster.
Supporters say Burnham’s appeal lies in his ability to connect with traditional Labour voters while remaining acceptable to the party’s centre ground. They see him as authentic, approachable and more in touch with everyday concerns than many Westminster politicians.
Politically, Burnham has championed greater devolution, arguing that power should be moved away from London to regions and nations across the UK. He has also backed transport reform, stronger public services and economic policies aimed at spreading growth beyond the South East of England.
For Wales, a Burnham premiership would be watched closely. He would inherit a Labour Party still reeling from its collapse in the Senedd election, where Plaid Cymru emerged as the dominant force in Welsh politics.
His emphasis on devolution may be welcomed in Wales, but he would face immediate pressure to show that any new relationship with the nations of the UK is more than rhetoric.
Critics argue that Burnham can be short on detail and long on broad messages. Others point out that he has spent nearly a decade outside Westminster and would need to rebuild relationships quickly in Parliament.
Despite those concerns, few figures in Labour possess his combination of experience, public recognition and electoral success. His victory in the Makerfield by-election returned him to the House of Commons and immediately intensified speculation about Starmer’s future.
Now, with Starmer stepping aside, that speculation appears close to becoming reality.
If Burnham secures the Labour leadership without a serious challenger, as many expect, he will become Britain’s next Prime Minister and inherit a government facing economic pressure, political division and a public increasingly impatient for change.
For a politician who has spent years waiting in the wings, the moment may finally have arrived.
News
Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’
Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions
FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.
The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.
Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.
Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”
He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.
Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.
He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.
“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”
Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.
He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.
Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.
Community
Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work
A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.
Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.
Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.
Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.
Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.
Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.
“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”
The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.
Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.
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