News

Haverfordwest: Poundstretcher fined for mouse infestation

Published

11 years ago

August 26, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Fined: Poundstretcher, Haverfordwest

DISCOUNT chain store Poundstretcher has been fined over £7,000 by magistrates after admitting four food hygiene offences.

Officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Division found an active mouse infestation at the company’s store on the Bridge Meadow retail park in Haverfordwest.

The town’s magistrates were told that the case followed an investigation in July, 2014, when the Division’s Food Safety and Standards Team received a complaint indicating a possible rodent problem at the store.

Officers discovered an active mouse infestation with widespread evidence of droppings in areas where foods were stored and displayed. They also found evidence of gnawed food.

Pest control records suggested that the problem had first come to light in March, 2013, correlating with an infestation identified at one of the company’s distribution warehouses that had led to infested products being sent out to stores around the country.

Despite the problem having been identified centrally by Poundstretcher and stores being alerted, management failed to ensure that appropriate steps were taken at a local level to apply relevant safeguards.

In particular, the court heard how store management had failed to recognise the significance of the pest problem highlighted by their appointed pest contractors.

They failed to ensure that the matter was escalated appropriately and failed to ensure an appropriate level of housekeeping to prevent possible pest harbourage and to enable the timely and effective identification and assessment of pest problems.

Many of these issues were attributed to a core problem of inadequate staff training, instruction and supervision.

The store closed by voluntary agreement to allow affected stock to be identified and removed from sale and for cleaning and disinfection to take place and additional pest control measures to be applied.

It was only allowed to reopen once officers were satisfied with the progress that had been made.

As a consequence of the poor inspection, the store also received a Food Hygiene Rating of 0 (zero).

Magistrates took into consideration both the early plea and previous convictions, and fined the company £1,500 for each of the offences of relating to the failure to protect food from the risk of contamination; failure to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests, and failure to ensure adequate materials were available for cleaning hands.

A further fine of £3,000 was imposed for the lack of adequate training, instruction and supervision.

The Company was also ordered to pay the Council’s full costs of £4,755.94, plus a victim surcharge of £120.

After the hearing, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Councillor Huw George, said: “The sentence again underlines the importance of food businesses ensuring that food handlers receive appropriate training.

“It is vital they recognise and understand matters that are important from a food safety perspective and that they are clear on the practices and procedures that are needed to safeguard the public in this respect – backed up by effective management supervision.

“An awareness of potential pest problems – and how to recognise and respond to these effectively – is a basic and fundamental requirement in any food business.”

The same company was in trouble in 2013. Milford Haven branch was fined a total of £8940.69, which included costs to Pembrokeshire County Council of £2365.20 for selling dangerous batteries which ‘could have exploded’.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

9 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

10 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.