A PROPOSAL to silence a town clock at night to boost tourism has divided opinion.

Reaction has been mixed amongst Newtown residents after the town's Mayor, Cllr David Selby launched a consultation last week on silencing the clock for most of the night,

He is testing the water with the idea after being told by owners of nearby bed and breakfast, and hotel businesses, that the chimes through the night from the Broad Street building could be putting people off staying in the town.

At a full meeting of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council this week, he moved to quash concerns that it might cost tax payers to make any changes. Businesses would be asked to contribute towards the cost of a new mechanism to allow the clock striking times to be controlled.

It would be silent between 12pm and 7am.

"Two businesses have mentioned to me that it is detrimental, it is having an impact on businesses in town", Cllr Selby said.

"The reason I started this is that one business whose premises are very near the clock have had bad reviews from visitors who have said the chimes have disturbed them during the night."

Cllr Selby said Newtown residents are perhaps not affected by the chimes because they are "used to them" in the same way that people who live near a railway are used to the sound of trains.

But those visiting the town or who are new to the area might not be accustomed to the noise and find it a problem.

Cllr Selby added: "What I want to find out is do townspeople rely on the bells and do they feel it is integral to Newtown?

"I have not asked the town council to spend a single penny on the project. The equipment needed would cost £2,500 and would have to be paid for by businesses.

"It is a delicate balance between history and supporting the tourist business. Other nearby towns such as Montgomery and Bishops Castle opted to change theirs."

Cllr Selby asked members of the town council to submit their own views as part of the consultation.

The town clock has been one of the most iconic sights in Newtown since it was completed in 1900.

Among the range of views and opinions received by the County Times in the week since Cllr Selby's consultation was launched, Treowen resident Susan Quin has written to say she would be opposed as her father Jack Bryan Quin who used to wind the clock from 1939,

The letter can be read in full on the letter's page.