POLICE have warned that Tenby’s Summer Spectacular has become “a disaster waiting to happen”, amid concerns about overcrowding, crowd surges and restricted access for emergency services.

A decision on the future of the event’s premises licence is expected within days after Dyfed-Powys Police asked Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee to revoke the existing licence, arguing that it is no longer fit for purpose.

The two harbour-based spectaculars planned for August have already been provisionally cancelled by organisers Tenby Round Table following difficulties agreeing crowd-control arrangements with the council.

The annual events, which feature food, drink, live music and a popular fireworks display, have been a highlight of Tenby’s summer calendar for many years.

However, police told the licensing hearing that the event had grown beyond what could safely be accommodated at its current location.

A police representative said the harbour area should have a maximum capacity of around 1,600 people, but estimated crowds of approximately 3,000 had attended previous events.

The committee heard concerns that overcrowding could lead to crowd surging, while the limited number of escape routes could create serious difficulties during an emergency.

Police stressed that they were not opposed to the event itself, but said it had “evolved from a family event to a large-scale drinking environment”.

Concerns were also raised by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust over emergency access, while Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service highlighted wider public safety risks.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s lead licensing officer, Geraint Griffiths, described the current arrangements as “very dangerous” and warned that any significant movement or surge within the crowd could have devastating consequences.

The premises licence covers Tenby Harbour car park and extends to the top of Penniless Cove Hill. The site includes a stage, stalls, refreshment stands and a bar selling alcoholic and soft drinks in cans.

Alcohol is currently sold under a temporary event notice rather than as a licensed activity included within the premises licence.

The open-air event is not fenced or ticketed, with visitors invited to make a voluntary donation on entry. People are also able to access the area from the harbour beach, an issue described during the hearing as one of the main obstacles to safely controlling numbers.

Tenby Round Table disputed some of the figures presented by the emergency services, saying several incidents referred to had not been directly connected to the Summer Spectacular.

Members said they had spent much of the past year trying to resolve questions surrounding access and crowd control.

A Round Table representative told the committee: “This year’s event has been cancelled. It arose from the sheer volume of people visiting Tenby, creating a question we have tried to get answered for the best part of a year.

“Without a clear answer, we couldn’t finish our licensing plan and couldn’t responsibly hold our events.”

The organisers previously said negotiations with Pembrokeshire County Council’s public realm department had failed to produce a clear and workable agreement allowing temporary restrictions on pedestrian access to the harbour and beach.

Without those restrictions, they said it would not be possible to legally or safely control crowd numbers.

Committee member Cllr Mark Carter suggested the event may have become “too successful” and could have outgrown its current location.

He described unrestricted access from the nearby beach as “the elephant in the room” and said any future proposal would need to include a robust plan for controlling entry.

Tenby Round Table said moving the main event elsewhere while retaining the traditional harbour fireworks display would present significant logistical challenges.

Councillors were presented with four options, including revoking the licence or allowing it to continue with amended conditions.

Committee chairman Cllr Tim Evans said members would consider the evidence before issuing a written decision, which is expected within five working days.

The 38-year-old died after a collision between a van and a bus near Llandeilo

THE FAMILY of a man who died following a collision on the A40 have paid tribute to him, saying they have been left “utterly heartbroken” by their sudden loss.

Ashley Wayne Keane, aged 38, was the driver of a van involved in the collision between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig at around 4.25pm on Friday, July 3.

Emergency services attended the scene, but Mr Keane sadly died following the collision.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “We are utterly heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of Ashley Wayne Keane.

“He will forever be in our hearts, and as his family, we kindly ask for privacy to grieve this devastating loss.”

Police have asked that the family’s request for privacy is respected.

WORLD RENOWNED drag icon, Dr Bev, has been announced as the closing act for the Pembrokeshire Pride Festival in September.

Dr Bev, whose full stage name is Dr Beverley Ballcrusher, is a well known drag artist from Cardiff. In a career that has lasted for over 30 years, she has become one of the highlights of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene.

In that time, she has toured across mainland Europe. Before coming to Pembrokeshire Pride Festival, Dr Bev will be performing at Sao Paulo Pride Festival, the world’s biggest Pride festival.

Dr Bev has also been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV awareness. Dr Bev’s performer, Rob Keetch, volunteered at Cardiff Body Positivity to offer advice to those dealing with HIV during the 1990s. Dr Bev began at an event designed to support one of Rob’s associates from this charity, drag queen Connie Condom.

Dr Bev went on to be the founder of Pride Cymru, Wales’ largest LGBTQ+ celebration, holding an annual big weekend in Cardiff. The parade and festival promotes awareness of LGBTQ+ people, part of Pride Cymru’s wider mission to promote acceptance in Wales.

Dr Bev is therefore a figure rooted deeply in Welsh Pride and LGBTQ+ celebration. Having her come to Pembrokeshire Pride Festival is a massive moment for Pride in Pembrokeshire, closing out the festival with one of Wales’ biggest LGBTQ+ icons.

The day will include family friendly entertainment and activities, with food vendors, community areas and performances.

On Dr Bev’s appearance, Rob Keetch said: ‘To go from São Paulo Pride to Dewslake Farm is exactly what Pride should be about: joy, visibility, connection and making sure LGBTQ+ people know they are seen and celebrated wherever they live.‘

Dr Bev will also be wearing her rainbow outfit worn at San Paulo Pride, giving fans an opportunity to see part of the world’s biggest pride festival.

Pembrokeshire Pride Festival will take place on 19th September at Dewslake Farm, near Lamphey. Tickets will be available from the 24th July.