Community

Costs rising as Pembroke South Quay redevelopment budget now tops £27.5m

Published

5 months ago

July 22, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE TOTAL total budget for the South Quay redevelopment of Pembroke now tops £27.5m but nearly £17m in grant funding has been secured, councillors heard.

The multi-million-pound project at South Quay, below the town’s castle, led by Pembrokeshire County Council and Andrew Scott Ltd, previously costed at £18m, is progressing in its two-phase redevelopment.

The first phase, funded by the Welsh Government, will see the creation of a Henry Tudor visitor centre, a library and information centre, a café, and landscaped gardens.

The second phase, known as the ‘Pembroke Hwb’, is funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up programme and the Welsh Government.

This phase will transform numbers 7 and 8 Northgate Street into a three-storey integrated community hub.

The hub aims to support independent living for people of all ages and provides supported employment for people with disabilities.

It will also offer space for day opportunities and learning and skills development.

In addition to the new facilities, the redevelopment plans include environmental enhancements.

In a submitted question heard at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Alan Dennison asked: “The initial estimate for the South Quay development was approximately £18 million, as provided by Andrew Scott.

“Could the Cabinet Member for Regeneration [Cllr Paul Miller] please provide an update on the total projected costs associated with the project, including both capital expenditures and any grant allocations?”

Responding to Cllr Dennison’s question on Cllr Miller’s behalf, Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said the second phase was budgeted at £17,690,894.56, with works progressing ahead of an expected July 2026 completion.

Members heard total capital costs for the scheme as a whole had a budget of £27,502,978, supported by four grant awards of £5,825,000, £6.5m, £250,000, and £4,168,823, for a total of £16,743,823 of external investment to Pembroke.

After Cllr Dennison remarked the overall cost of the scheme had gone up by some £9.5m, Cllr Harvey highlighted “the substantial grant funding,” adding: “Let’s not forget these were derelict buildings in a prime location that had been dormant and derelict for many years.

“This administration had picked up the mantle that the previous administration hadn’t and has a will to transform these buildings, not only with a visitor centre but phase 2 will be a social services hub.

“In terms of savings to the council going forward, notwithstanding the renovation, we’ll actually be saving circa £900,000 per year for social services.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)