Suzy Davies AM visits Burry Port

Suzy Davies AM visits Burry Port with Selaine Saxby, Llanelli’s Prospective Conservative MP

This week Suzy Davies, South Wales West Assembly Member, visited Burry Port with Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Selaine Saxby.  During their visit they met with with Mike and Margaret Huish, owners of the Globe Guest House and discussed the issues impacting on tourism in the town.  Concerns were raised about the reduction in street cleaning, despite the increases in Council Tax.

A visit to the harbour also highlighted problems with boat access other than at high tide.  The sand within the marina and just outside the gates has built up to such an extent that boats are struggling to get in or out of the harbour other than at high tide. Dredging is due in the coming weeks, but Mike Huish who has a boat in the marina, said:

“There is just not enough regular dredging and removal of the sand for boats to move freely in and out of the marina.  We hope something can be done more regularly so the marina remains fully functioning”

Suzy, who is Chair of the Assembly’s cross party tourism group, also discussed concerns with locals about the apparent lack of joined up thinking for the town to really benefit from tourism.  Suzy said of her visit:

“Burry Port is a beautiful place to come on holiday, It is frustrating that businesses in Burry Port seem to have no connection with or buy-in to the local, regional or Welsh Government strategies for tourism. I wonder if Visit Wales and Burry Port have even heard of each other.”

“Visit Wales is placing a great deal of faith in the range of destination management plans it has helped finance. Carmarthenshire’s plan, which is almost two years old, acknowledges that some of the county’s towns are looking tired. However, it’s response for Burry Port is to reduce the amount of street cleaning. I’m not sure how that enhances the experience of visitors to this attractive town whose tourism potential is under-developed.”

Selaine Saxby, the Conservative candidate in the upcoming general election also had concerns. Selaine said:

“Across the constituency I hear from small businesses how they have been let down by their current politicians who do not have the business experience needed to create and implement a strategic vision for the area which benefits local businesses”