Len Mullins
01437 775387
18th April, 2008

COUNCIL TO DEMOLISH GATEHOUSE HOTEL

Pembrokeshire County Council announced today, Friday, that it is to demolish the remaining sections of Tenby's fire ravaged Royal Gatehouse Hotel.The Councils move follows the decision on Thursday by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to support the demolition option.A specialist contractor is expected to arrive on site early next week.

'Once demolition is complete in the next few weeks, we will be able to re-open The Norton which is the only road by which large vehicles can access the centre of town' said the Councils Chief Executive, Bryn Parry-Jones. 'I would stress though that despite the two road closures, businesses in Tenby town centre are open for trade as normal.'

He said the decision to demolish had not been an easy one as the Gatehouse was an historic landmark of the town with Listed Building status.Mr Parry-Jones went  on: 'However because of the danger to the public from windswept debris from the roof and the possible instability of the north east corner of the building in high winds, it was ultimately considered the best solution to remove the immediate danger.'

The contractor appointed to demolish the building is the same company brought in by the Council in the immediate aftermath of the fire to clear parts of the building which were in imminent danger of collapse.

For further information contact Len Mullins, Press and Public Relations Officer, on 01437 775387. The Council's press releases are also available on the Authority's website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk