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News

Soon-to-close Original Factory store, Milford Haven, to become gym

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AN APPLICATION to change the use of a soon-to-be empty Pembrokeshire town centre shop to a health and fitness facility has been approved by county planners, who praised local investors “thinking outside the box”.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County council’s March planning committee meeting, Darren and Samantha Winn, of Inner Tiger Fitness, sought permission for the change of use of the former Original Factory Shop, 58-66, Charles Street, Milford Haven to a health and fitness facility with a retail/cafe element.

The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) opened its doors at the large two-storey Charles Street building in in June 2010, in the building that was originally occupied by Woolworths, closing early last year.

A report for committee members said: “The ground floor facing Charles Street is occupied by a large retail unit, with an extensive shop window, selling a range of comparison goods such as clothing and kitchenware.  On the intermediate ground floor and lower ground floor levels are storage areas, staff offices and an external loading area.”

It said the scheme – supported by Milford Haven Town Council – would create two full-time posts and four part-time posts; the facilities operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Four objections to the proposal were raised covering the vitality and viability of the town centre, parking noise and disturbance, and waste services.

Speaking at the meeting, applicant Darren Winn said: “What we’re proposing isn’t just a gym, a health and wellbeing centre open to all walks of life, not just your typical gym-goer,” adding the ‘café’ element would take the form of a ‘protein bar’ rather than a traditional café, describing it as “a social space for people after they’ve worked out, a place to hang out afterwards, increasing your mental health as well as physical health.”

Committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock moved the recommendation of approval be adopted, saying: “I think this is a very well worked application; town centres are going to have to have much more multifunctional use.”

Cllr Mark Carter said there was a need for town centres to “think outside the box” in the days of town centre retail trade suffering through “the likes of Amazon,” adding: “The operation that was there before, if they can’t sort of make things happen it’s down to local investors to make things happen.”

Members unanimously supported the application.

Community

Woodland at Tenby school targeted by vandals

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A PEMBROKESHIRE school’s woodland area has been targeted by vandals in a spate of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

The incident occurred in the woodland behind Ysgol Hafan y Môr on Heywood Lane, Tenby. Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed, and a joint patrol with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has since taken place.

Tracey Davies, from the fire service’s arson reduction team, and PCSO Ffion Thomas visited the site earlier this week to assess the situation and reassure the community.

Posting on the Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Police Facebook page, they said: “ASB and criminal damage will not be tolerated in this area, and we will be taking positive action regarding this.”

They urged members of the public to report any further incidents to Dyfed-Powys Police using the following contact methods:

🖥️ | https://orlo.uk/KxdYo
📧 | 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
📞 | 101

Let me know if you’d like this localised more or turned into a print headline version for The Pembrokeshire Herald.

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Business

Cardiff Airport boss resigns amid criticism of Welsh Government direction

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THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Cardiff Airport, Spencer Birns, has stepped down from his role, sparking fresh criticism over the Welsh Government’s management of the publicly-owned site.

Mr Birns, who took on the role in 2020 after serving as the airport’s commercial director, has overseen a challenging period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a slow recovery in passenger numbers. Despite efforts to revive the airport’s fortunes, services and airline partnerships have struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Airport boss Spencer Birns has quit his post (Image: File)

The airport, which was purchased by the Welsh Government in 2013 for £52 million, has continued to rely on public funding to stay afloat. Passenger numbers remain well below expectations, and several carriers have either scaled back operations or withdrawn entirely.

Reacting to Mr Birns’ resignation, Andrew RT Davies MS, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central and former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said the move amounted to a “vote of no confidence” in the airport’s current ownership and direction.

Mr Davies said: “The chief executive leaving the pitch is a vote of no confidence in Welsh Government’s ownership of Cardiff Airport. Spencer Birns has always done his best at Cardiff Airport, where facilities are second to none, but the lack of direction from Welsh Government has led to a non-return of airlines and a brutal decline in passenger numbers.

“If we’re going to see this key economic asset gain real strength, we need to see a change of ownership, and better direction so talented people like Mr Birns aren’t walking away.”

Cardiff Airport has not yet named a successor or given details on the timeline for Mr Birns’ departure. A spokesperson for the airport said the search for new leadership would begin immediately, and paid tribute to Mr Birns’ service.

The Welsh Government has defended its stewardship of the airport in the past, citing the pandemic’s unprecedented impact on global aviation. However, critics argue that the airport has lacked a coherent long-term strategy and failed to attract sustainable commercial interest.

Mr Birns’ resignation comes at a time when the future of the airport remains under intense scrutiny, with calls growing louder for either privatisation or a new management structure.

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News

Police appeal for information following serious accident on A40

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE is appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on the A40 between Haverfordwest and Wolfcastle at approximately 9.10pm on Saturday, March 22.

The collision involved a pedestrian and a blue Vauxhall Astra between Days roundabout and Ridgeway filling station.

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital where he remains in a stable but critical condition.

The road was closed from 9.25pm and re-opened just before 4am on Sunday, March 23.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation, including anyone who was travelling along the road at the time with dashcam footage, is asked to report it via:

🖥️ | https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline

📧 | 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk

📞 | 101

Quote reference: 348 of March 22.

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