THE PREMISES licence for Tenby’s popular Summer Spectacular events, which attracts thousands to the seaside town’s harbour area, has been revoked following a lengthy meeting held last week.

Following the meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee last Thursday, July 9, to review the premises licence of the Tenby Summer Spectacular events, committee members have now released their decision.

At the licensing meeting, police had expressed fears that the event in its current form was “a disaster waiting to happen”.

Tenby Round Table disputed some of the figures produced by the emergency services about incidents in previous years, saying they were not connected to the event.

The ‘Table members present stressed they had tried to address the issue of access to the licensed area: “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 Sub-Committee concluded that the licensing objectives were not being adequately met leaving significant concerns regarding crowd safety, emergency access and the protection of children from harm.

The Sub-Committee decision revokes the premises licence on those grounds.

Cllr Aaron Carey, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Licensing Service, said: “Neither I nor Pembrokeshire County Council take any satisfaction whatsoever from this decision and I know this will be very disappointing news for the organisers, volunteers, charities and many people who value the Tenby Summer Spectacular.

“The sub-committee also recognises the longstanding charitable contribution of the event, its importance to the local economy and the significant funds it raises for local good causes.

“However, committee members concluded that public safety must always be the overriding consideration.”

He said the sub-committee reached its decision after considering all of the evidence including submissions from blue light services, council officers and the event organisers, adding the concerns expressed from Dyfed-Powys Police “were extremely powerful”.

Cllr Carey added: “There were significant concerns from agencies that, due to the size and popularity of the event, it had outgrown its current setting.

“Public safety has to be paramount, particularly where an event involves large crowds in a working harbour environment and affects surrounding public spaces.

“However, the evidence presented by the Tenby Round Table was not sufficient to satisfy the committee that the licensing objectives relating to public safety and the protection of children from harm could be adequately promoted.

“Throughout this process officers from all the agencies involved in the licensing review had met with the event organisers on a number of occasions and had hoped to reach a position whereby the concerns raised could be effectively mitigated.

“With the event having been cancelled by Tenby Round Table for 2026, all agencies involved in the review have made clear their willingness to continue working constructively with the organisers to address the issues identified.

“The Tenby Summer Spectacular has been a much-loved event for many years, raising significant sums for local charities and bringing considerable benefits to the town and wider county. There is a shared desire to see those benefits continue in the future.”

Speaking after the decision, a Dyfed-Powys Police Spokesman said: “After reviewing the event in its current format, we raised concerns surrounding public safety, protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder.

“Keeping our communities safe must be our priority and we remain committed to working with them to hold a safe event in the future.”

A CALL for permission for works clearing part of the 2026 Eisteddfod site ahead of this year’s festival in Pembrokeshire has been given the go-ahead county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Cardiff-based Angharad Davies sought permission for the removal of multiple small sections of hedge on a temporary basis for the forthcoming Eisteddfod at Glanrhyd Road, Llantood/Llantwd.

A supporting statement said: “Preparation works have been undertaken to reduce hedge growth in several locations where openings are required for festival access, with all arisings shredded and retained within the hedgerow to support natural regeneration.

“Any openings created will be carefully excavated, with the soil set aside and preserved for reinstatement upon completion, ensuring that all materials are returned as found. Where herringbone stonework is uncovered, we will reinstate it to match the original as closely as possible, typically engaging a specialist local stone mason experienced in traditional methods.

“Following the event, reinstatement works will be completed prior to leaving site, and we will return in November to plant a mix of seven hedgerow species and we will consult with yourselves to ensure the selected species are appropriate and in line with your recommendations, maintaining the character and biodiversity of the site.

“Where possible, we have incorporated original gates into a number of the proposed openings to retain the character and integrity of the site, ensuring consistency with existing features.

“In selecting locations for access points, we have prioritised sections of hedgerow with minimal growth to reduce the extent of intervention required and to minimise impact of the surrounding vegetation. This approach supports efficient installation while maintaining the natural appearance and structure of the hedgerows.”

The application was unconditionally approved by county planners.

The 2026 festival, running from August 1-8 at Llantwd holds particular historical significance, marking the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod, held in 1176 at Castell Aberteifi.

With this year’s Maes located close to the original site, the event is expected to be a landmark occasion for the region and for Wales as a whole.

The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe and one of the most prominent events in the Welsh cultural calendar, attracting approximately 175,000 visitors annually.

The festival celebrates Welsh language, literature, music, and the arts, with a diverse programme of competitions, performances, exhibitions, and community activities.

The Eisteddfod proclamation took place in Narberth last May, with hundreds attending.

At the time, Narberth County Councillor Mark Tierney posted: “One of the biggest parades through Narberth in a long time and we provided the warmest of welcomes to visitors from near and far for the Eisteddfod proclamation procession.”

BYLAWS connected to restrictions on dogs on Pembrokeshire beaches are to come under the spotlight later this week in a series of questions to be heard at full council.

Traditionally running from May 1 to September 30, there are total bans on dogs at Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids.

Partial bans are in operation on parts of Lydstep, Newgale, Saundersfoot, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, and Dale.

There is also a voluntary dog restriction on the beach at Coppet Hall between 10am and 6pm.

Guide dogs are welcome on Pembrokeshire’s beaches all year round.

In a three-pronged series of submitted questions to be heard at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Rhys Jordan will ask for details surrounding dogs on beaches bylaws.

“Can the relevant Cabinet Member confirm where the operative beach dog bylaws, schedules, amendments and deposited plans are currently published, and whether all public-facing maps, signs and webpages accurately reflect the legal restrictions in force?

“Can the relevant Cabinet Member confirm who formally approved the council’s 2026 approach to beach dog restrictions, including any warning-led or ‘warn and inform’ approach, and who is currently authorised to enforce the byelaws following the end of WISE’s ([Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement)] involvement in enforcement for Pembrokeshire County Council?

“Given the lack of substantive response to requests for this information, the apparent difficulty in producing relevant and legal governance documents, and the need for residents and visitors to understand any legal restrictions with certainty, will the relevant Cabinet Member agree to suspend enforcement and active promotion of the 2026 beach dog restrictions until the byelaws, deposited plans, decision records and enforcement arrangements have been verified and published in one accessible location?”

Cllr Jordan has previously said that “blanket bans” on some of the county’s beaches were “overly punitive on dog owners,” adding: “Responsible owners do look after their dogs, but unfortunately it is the small minority; to have six or seven months of the year that certain beaches are completely banned from dogs is a bit much in my view.”

His submitted questions will be read and answered at the meeting.