INDEPENDENT shop owners in Pembrokeshire have warned that rising costs and increasing pressures could threaten the future of small high-street businesses, during a meeting with local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz.

Senior members of the Federation of Independent Retailers met the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS on Friday (Feb 20) at a Tenby store run by Vince and Fiona Malone.

The couple, who expanded their retail and Post Office business from three staff in 2014 to fourteen employees today, said they were now facing significant financial pressures. These include rising business rates expected to take effect in April, higher employer National Insurance contributions, and above-inflation increases to the National Living Wage.

The meeting also covered the Federation’s manifesto for the upcoming Senedd elections in May, which calls for action to tackle retail crime, reduce cost burdens on small businesses, and ensure the proposed Deposit Return Scheme for recycling is cost-neutral and aligned with the rest of the UK.

Samuel Kurtz MS, who has represented the area since 2021, is standing in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency at the election, which will see the Senedd expand from 60 to 96 members under a new proportional representation system.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Kurtz said he valued the opportunity to hear directly from retailers about the challenges they face, adding that their experience would help inform political discussions ahead of the election.

Vince Malone said the Federation had written to all candidates standing in the new constituency and looked forward to meeting representatives from other political parties in the coming weeks.

Former UK ambassador questioned over alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein as political pressure mounts

FORMER Labour cabinet minister Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested after police searched two of his homes as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.

The 72-year-old, who previously served as the UK’s ambassador to the United States, is accused of leaking sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officers were seen at one of his properties earlier this month, and he was later taken from his London home in an unmarked police vehicle.

His arrest comes only days after Prince Andrew was detained on suspicion of similar offences, with police also carrying out extensive searches of his residences, including Royal Lodge, over an eleven-hour period. Investigators are now expected to examine electronic devices seized during the operations, including phones and computers.

The Metropolitan Police previously confirmed that warrants were executed at addresses in Camden and Wiltshire in connection with an ongoing investigation involving a 72-year-old man suspected of misconduct in public office.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team were leading the inquiry.

The allegations relate to documents reportedly contained within files linked to Epstein, which appear to suggest Mandelson shared confidential or market-sensitive government information during his time in office. The extent of his association with Epstein has become a major political controversy, raising questions about vetting and judgement at the highest levels of government.

The situation has also created significant political pressure on the Prime Minister, who had appointed Mandelson to the ambassadorial role last year. Downing Street has since been forced to release thousands of emails and messages relating to the appointment, with officials continuing to review the correspondence.

Several MPs have publicly criticised the decision to appoint Mandelson, with some calling for senior figures within government to take responsibility for what they describe as a serious lapse in judgement.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any charges will follow.

A PEMBROKESHIRE charity has launched an ambitious bid to restore Foley House, one of Haverfordwest’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a new community cooperative called The Bucketful Centre.

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, with support from PLANED Community Development, has established the cooperative to take forward plans to refurbish and repurpose the landmark building.

Foley House was built during Britain’s naval heyday and designed by renowned architect John Nash for the brother of Captain Foley, who served alongside Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Nash later went on to design the Brighton Pavilion and parts of Buckingham Palace. At the same time he was working on Foley House, Nash was also designing Priory House in Cardigan, located on the former hospital site at the entrance to the town.

Haverfordwest was once known as “the Bath of the West” and boasted many grand homes, but Foley House has fallen into significant disrepair over recent decades.

The four-storey building is currently owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and is now in the process of being leased to The Bucketful Centre cooperative. Once renovated, it will become the new base for Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, operating as a cancer support centre with expanded services for patients, carers and people living with life-limiting conditions.

Founder and CEO of Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, Chris Evans-Thomas, said demand for the charity’s services had risen sharply since the Covid pandemic.

He said Foley House offers the space, parking and future disabled access needed to deliver improved support for patients, particularly as some hospital services are being reduced or lost.

The campaign will be formally launched at a public presentation at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30pm.

The event will be led by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator Cris Tomos, who has extensive experience in saving historic buildings, alongside well-known historian Mark Muller.

Further information about the project is available at www.bucketfulcentre.co.uk or by contacting Chris Evans-Thomas on 01437 779400.