Thank you to all who attended last night's SCT Business Forum.

We received apologies from those who were unable to attend due to work commitments (thank you!) and the general feeling was for the Forum to continue as it provides a valuable platform to discuss ongoing covid-19 awareness, give feedback regarding safety procedures that are being implemented and suggest new ideas and/or tweak existing strategies to help keep Saundersfoot as safe as possible over the coming weeks.

Joining us last night was Pembrokeshire County Council Street Care Manager Marc Owen who answered queries and offered advice on the social distancing concerns that people had raised within the village. We currently have additional space along Cambrian Terrace and The Strand to enable a 'shared space' for food establishments to have extra outdoor seating and the public to have a widened pavement area to help with social distancing and queuing outside shops. It was felt that the public walking along the Strand did not seem to be using this space, opting to walk on the road instead. It was felt signage may be necessary to encourage people to walk within the cordoned off area. Marc Owen was happy to listen to discussions from Holly Thompson and Debbie Ludlow regarding managing social distancing between customers eating outside premises and the public walking past. Marc Owen also informed us that a designated additional outside space was being considered for The Harbour Bar, infront of the premises on the pavement to help reduce customers consuming alcohol off the premises. Marc Owen is meeting with Periwinkle and Little & Large Lite Bites in Saundersfoot on Wednesday to discuss and understand the concerns they have raised.

Other feedback from those business owners who attended said most of their customers were positive about the safety procedures in place around the village and in the businesses. It was felt that the public were more confident about coming into shops and social distancing and procedures on the whole were being adhered to within the premises. Cllr Neil Sefton mentioned that the SCC Facebook page had received a few negative comments regarding some blue badge parking spaces being allocated for shared space. Cllr Baker reassured the forum that although some designated blue badge holder spaces had been temporarily 'lost', spaces had been retained in The Strand for access to the pharmacy and hair salon and other remaining spaces were unaltered. There were still spaces available for blue badge holders to park in other bays outside Spar, along the Strand and Cambrian Terrace. All feedback was noted with intent to report findings to the Pembrokeshire County Council.

The link is as follows:

We look forward to seeing you again next Monday and welcome any feedback you may have regarding operating procedures within your own business, your customers views and personal observations.

Hope you all have a successful week!

Best wishes

Dilys Hackett and Holly Thompson

(Chair) (Vice-chair)

Thank you for attending Monday's SCT Business Forum via Zoom.

SCT Committee member Andrew Evans gave us an insight from UKHospitality into how the Covid-19 outbreak has impacted hospitality and what the industry can do to recover.

Saundersfoot PCSO Graham Kendall joined us to talk about the 'Operation Lion' scheme that is being implemented over the summer season and answered queries regarding potential anti-social behaviour due to consuming alcohol outside licensed premises. For any concerns regarding mass gatherings (with no social distancing) anti-social behaviour and non-emergency situations we were advised to phone 101 (and dial 999 if you see any crime being committed or anyone in immediate danger).

Cllr Phil Baker gave an update on 'Cafe Culture' which is due to start this weekend. The signs announcing the temporary reuse of the parking bays along the Strand and Cambrian Terrace were put up on Tuesday.

Saundersfoot Community Councillor Chairman Neil Sefton raised concerns regarding social distancing complications with the queues for the Ice cream vendor situated at the top of the beach slipway. Cllr Phil Baker is investigating.

Rita Gibson from the Chemist Inn brought up her concerns relating to another licensed premises in the village who she felt were not adhering to the government Covid-19 guidelines. Rita wanted to know what could be done to ensure all licensed premises are operating in accordance with the new safety regulations. Cllr Phil Baker has been made aware and will investigate.

The Visitor Team members have been a positive addition to the village and have been well received by local residents and visitors alike.

We are hoping to be joined again by another member of Pembrokeshire County County and a local PCSO. Our main topic for conversation will concentrate on the hospitality sector, updates and feedback from the Cafe Culture and any questions you may have relating to reopening, safety procedures and best preactice for your business.

We understand many owners are busy running businesses, especially now the visitor economy has increased in the village and we encourage you to attend if you can. You are welcome to 'drop in' anytime between 7:00pm and 8:00pm with any feedback you would like to offer or any questions we might be able to help with. Alternatively, please email us on saundersfootchamber@gmail.com with any queries and feedback prior to the forum.