A decision to relocate the weekly market in Pembroke Dock has been described as a “blow” for the town, as Pembrokeshire County Council eyes up the Market Hall for training purposes.

Chris Rees, whose family has been trading in Pembroke Dock Market Hall for three generations, said: “More than likely we will be out straight after Christmas.

“I feel as if Pembrokeshire County Council are washing their hands of us. I don’t think they want a market in Pembroke Dock.”

The St Govan’s Centre in the centre of the town and the London Road Mall have been suggested to market traders as possible alternative locations.

But Mr Rees said that no units were available at St Govan’s and there were inadequate facilities available in the middle of the shopping centre for traders such as him.

He added the mall would be “no good at all” as it was too far from the centre of town.

“I would have to trade in Pembroke Dock somehow, it’s a third of my turnover. It’s very sad, I’ve been there all my life, every Friday I’m down in Pembroke Dock,” he said.

The mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Andrew McNaughton said: “It’s a disaster in a sense that a facility for local people in that area, a lot of whom are elderly customers are not going to be able to walk down there on a Friday.

“I think it’s a very bad thing and I wouldn’t support it in any way.

“It’s a blow for another group of traders in the town that are being forced to relocate against their will and with not a lot of hope of finding somewhere to go.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “Pembrokeshire County Council are in consultation with market traders with regard to finding an alternative location for the weekly market.

“In a meeting with the traders last week, we confirmed that the market will definitely run in the refurbished old market hall until at least Christmas.”

medi.george@westerntelegraph.co.uk.