ONE of west Wales’ most recognisable independent music retailers has expanded into Carmarthen with the opening of a brand-new Dales Music Store.

The family-run business, which first opened in Tenby in 1947, has become a favourite destination for generations of music lovers, known for its extensive range of vinyl records, musical instruments, guitars, music accessories and merchandise.

Now, after almost 80 years in business, Dales has opened a second branch on Blue Street in Carmarthen, bringing its distinctive yellow-and-blue branding and passion for music to the county town.

The new store offers a wide selection of new and pre-owned vinyl, guitars, musical instruments, equipment, accessories, gifts and official band merchandise, catering for everyone from experienced musicians to collectors and casual music fans.

The expansion represents a significant milestone for the long-established business, which has evolved from its roots as a piano retailer into one of Wales’ best-known independent music stores while remaining family owned.

Owners say they are excited to welcome customers through the doors of the new Carmarthen branch and hope it will become a hub for the local music community, offering the same friendly service and specialist knowledge that has made the Tenby store a trusted name for decades.

The arrival of Dales also provides a welcome boost to Carmarthen’s independent retail scene, giving shoppers another reason to visit the town centre and supporting the area’s growing reputation as a destination for independent businesses.

Photo caption: The Dales team outside the new Carmarthen store on Blue Street, marking the opening of the iconic Tenby music retailer’s second branch.

ALL PETS VET CARE is beginning a new chapter as ownership of the practice passes from founder Billa Schleicher to experienced local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe.

The change will ensure the practice remains independently owned and firmly rooted in the Pembrokeshire community.

Alice and Pete have both worked as small animal vets in Pembrokeshire for more than a decade and say they are proud to build on the strong foundations already established at the practice.

They have pledged to continue providing compassionate, gentle and fairly priced veterinary care, with every animal treated as a valued member of the family.

The existing All Pets Vet Care team will remain in place, meaning clients will continue to see the same familiar faces and receive consistent, high-quality care.

Alice and Pete said the team’s longstanding relationships with clients were central to the practice’s success and that they intended to support and invest in staff as the business develops.

Alice said: “It is a privilege to take on All Pets Vet Care. There is a wonderful team here, and we are committed to maintaining the same personal and caring approach that clients and their pets know and trust.

“Remaining independent means we can stay close to the needs of our clients and the local community.”

Pete added: “We both care deeply about Pembrokeshire and the people and pets who live here.

“We want every client to feel supported, listened to and confident that their pets are in safe hands.

“That includes continuing to provide our own out-of-hours care for registered clients, so pets can be seen close to home by a familiar and trusted team when it matters most.”

All Pets Vet Care is one of only a small number of practices in Pembrokeshire to provide its own out-of-hours service for registered clients, offering continuity of care during evenings, nights and weekends.

The practice will also continue supporting local wildlife charities Tinkers Hill Bird Rescue and The Hogspital, which cares for sick and injured hedgehogs.

The partnerships have formed an important part of Billa’s legacy at the practice and will continue under the new owners.

Alice and Pete said All Pets Vet Care would remain an active part of the community, providing trusted advice, continuity of care and a genuinely personal service to pet owners across Pembrokeshire.

As the practice looks to the future, its commitment remains unchanged: providing trusted, compassionate and independent care for local pets and the people who love them.

PLANS for 5G Vodafone telecommunications works at Haverfordwest’s telephone exchange have been refused on the grounds of the impact on the town’s conservation area.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Reading-based Cellnex UK, through agent WHP Telecoms Ltd sought permission for the installation of replacement telecommunications apparatus and ancillary equipment at Haverfordwest exchange on Perrotts Avenue.

The works proposed included the removal of the existing antenna and the installation of six antennas.

A supporting statement said the application for the rooftop of the existing three-storey Haverfordwest Telephone Exchange, was for a 5G mobile base station for the mobile network operator Vodafone Ltd in conjunction with Cornerstone; the site owned and operated by Cellnex UK, a radio site infrastructure provider.

It added: “The proposal seeks to upgrade the existing equipment in situ to ensure that Vodafone Ltd. customers continue to benefit from modern and reliable connectivity. The current equipment has not been upgraded for a number of years and now requires significant modernisation to support the latest wireless technologies and meet the needs of both customers and the wider community.”

It went on to say: “Unlike earlier generations of mobile connectivity, 5G has more significant technical and operational requirements and this has implications on the amount, height, position and design of the apparatus on the rooftop of this building.

“The service provided by the operator is in the public interest and is in very high demand, with 5G being the next and highly significant advancement in mobile connectivity. In the UK there are now more almost 92.5 million subscriptions to mobile networks and mobile services now exceed fixed landlines in terms of customer numbers and usage.”

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The siting and design of the development are considered to be insensitive, incongruous, and harmful to the character and appearance of the Haverfordwest Conservation Area. The proposal fails to preserve or enhance the significance of the designated heritage asset, contrary to the fundamental objectives of sustainable development.”

It added: “While the proposed masts are of a broadly comparable height to the previously approved [2007] installation, the current proposal materially differs in both form and visual impact. In particular, the introduction of three separate telecommunications masts to facilitate 5G infrastructure results in a more prominent and visually intrusive arrangement that is not considered to be subservient to the host building, unlike the previously approved tubed apparatus.”

The application was refused on grounds including the visual impact and no biodiversity enhancement measures included as part of the proposed scheme.