Old Penarthians have discussed the difficulties they are facing in reopening their facilities to members and visitors due to the current restrictions and difficulties extending their licence.

They said: ''As you are all aware the Welsh Government has recently announced that Clubs and Pubs are being allowed to reopen from Monday 13th July but only in outside areas and with restrictions, ie 2m distancing, table waiter service and limited time scales per person etc.

"Our Licence with the Vale of Glamorgan Council only allows outside drinking on the curtilage of our property which restricts us to the patio area only. Under the present social distancing rules a maximum of only 10 people would be allowed in this space therefore not making it a viable proposition for the club to reopen.

"We have made representation to the Vale of Glamorgan Council to extend our Licence on a temporary basis to include an area from the Club to near the First Team Pitch thus allowing more space and therefore more people.

"The Council has yet to make a decision on our application but we understand that it is unlikely to be granted as the Vale of Glamorgan Council do not want to encourage drinking on their land.

"A strong counter-argument to this has been put forward outlining numerous points one of which was the fact that other establishments in the Vale of Glamorgan area, in the same position as ourselves, are opening.

"The Council's response was that if these Clubs/Pubs open without the correct Licence then these Clubs/Pubs risk losing their Licence.

"We are awaiting the Council's official response and if they do in fact allow the Licence extension we can put measures in place to consider opening the Club to its existing members under certain criteria etc.

"Unfortunately for now and as a result of the above it has been decided that the Club will remain closed until we are able to be fully operational and viable however this may not be for some weeks to come. As you can all appreciate, we have a responsibility to our staff and members at this time as Covid-19 has not gone away and still remains a serious threat to all."

The Club's gym and squash courts also remain closed.