More support for small self-catering tourist operators has been called for by local Assembly Member Paul Davies. The call comes following the Welsh Government’s announcement that the eligibility criteria for receiving grant funding has changed so that operators can only apply if their property has been let for at least 140 days during 2019-20 and that the business is the owner’s primary source of income.

Mr Davies said, “It’s crucial that support for operators like holiday cottages and other self-catering tourist facilities is forthcoming and it’s worrying to see that the Welsh Government has changed the criteria so that fewer businesses are now eligible to receive support. Pembrokeshire’s tourism sector is strategically important to the local economy and indeed, the national economy and so it’s deeply disappointing to see the sector is being excluded from accessing vital Government resources. Therefore, I’ve written to the Welsh Government asking them to reconsider their decision and I’ve also written to Pembrokeshire County Council to use any discretion it has to make support available locally.”