LAUREN KIMPSON has an immense love for pets, that much is clear.

From humble beginnings running Woofers Dog Groomers on Charles Street in Milford Haven, Lauren has now expanded her business into a fabulous pet supplies and spa out on Thornton Industrial Estate. The Herald popped up there to have a nose around and, even from the outside, we were impressed.

As we stepped inside it became clear that Lauren has a love and a vision for what she wants to create for pets in Pembrokeshire.

From the gorgeous finish of the main desk to the light, airy feeling of the grooming salon, Pembs Pet Supplies & Spa feels like a much more modern, easy-going place to get anything your pet might need.

My first question to Lauren was simply ‘What made you want to expand your business? ”We had lots of people, and pets, coming into Woofers who had lots of different needs” She said. “Now we have so much more space to stock the things that our four-legged-friends need. Not just dogs or cats, we even stock Horse food too!”

Looking around the shop, it’s clear that Lauren and her team are putting people’s safety first, there are clear floor markings, masks are mandatory and the shop is big enough to easily social distance, but I wanted to know what else Pembs Pet Supplies & Spa are doing to give their customers a stress-free shopping experience.

“We know peace of mind is important too, especially at the moment, so we’re offering a local delivery service on the products we sell and we have no problem popping out to peoples cars and picking up their pet if they’re booked in for a grooming!”

The passion Lauren has is clear, the walls have countless certificates and awards that she has earned over the years and the amount of happy Woofers customers speak for themselves.

I asked Lauren how the first month has been out in Thornton, I imagine it’s a tricky time for new businesses what with this global pandemic still knocking about, but Lauren’s infectious excitement for her new premises is clearly driving her forward.

‘It’s been really good so far’ she said “It’s been really positive and people seem to like having a one-stop-shop for pets and their needs. People can pick up a lead or some dog food when they’re dropping their pooch off for a pampering.”

And it’s clear that people do, whilst I was there a steady stream of customers were coming through the door, all socially distanced and wearing masks of course.

Pembs Pet Supplies & Spa offer a laid-back, friendly, personal service, the type of service only small, independent local businesses can provide.

Add Lauren’s pet passion to the mix and we’re sure that she’s on to a winner.Lauren needed to finish grooming a dog when I was there so I decided to have a browse, what with being a dog-owner myself.

The shelves are stacked with everything you might need for your dog or cat, from chew toys to bowls or beds, every pet need is catered for and its a shop clearly designed to bring your pet in to, it’s not cramped or over-filled which really makes shopping there a delight.

Once Lauren was done, I popped my head into the grooming salon and saw a newly pampered pooch proudly sporting a great new trim and looking fancy.

My last question to Lauren, who has clearly limitless enthusiasm, was “What next?” She smiled and said: “Well, doggy-day-care is definitely on the horizon now we have all this room to expand.”

It’s an exciting time for pets in Pembrokeshire because Lauren’s passion and imagination knows no bounds, best of luck from all at The Herald!

MILFORD WATERFRONT, the hidden gem within Pembrokeshire’s tourism crown, has even more to offer visitors now that retail, hospitality, and tourism has reopened, with lots of new businesses opening their doors for the first time and some existing businesses having expanded since the pandemic.

From independent restaurants to barbers and environment friendly fashion shops, there’s plenty to eat, shop and enjoy at Milford Waterfront.

The Green Genie is a vegetarian and vegan bistro set overlooking Milford Marina. The only one of its kind at Milford Waterfront with its vegan offering, the bistro is family and dog friendly.

The Green Genie offers visitors a nutritious and flavour-packed menu with dishes including Asian style vegan noodles, vegetarian tacos, traditional English dishes and gluten free options as well as a selection of vegan wines, beers and ciders.

Madison’s Bar and Restaurant is the Green Genie’s sister restaurant. A unique dining experience is on offer at Madison’s; the vintage themed restaurant and bar transports you back to the 1920s and 30s. The food encapsulates contemporary and classic options from the land and sea, including steaks and lamb as well as fresh seafood such as their tender scallops using locally sourced produce. The Green Genie’s menu is also available for vegetarian and vegan diners.

Talouies opened in the summer of 2020 and adds to the growing café culture at Milford Waterfront. Open 7 days a week and dog friendly, Talouies offers visitors afternoon tea as well as homemade light bites, cakes and desserts, along with a wide selection of loose-leaf teas and fresh, aromatic coffees.

Sister company to resident restaurant Foam, Sugar Loaf Deli & Bakery are on hand to provide sandwiches, toasties, paninis, pastries, salads, soup and extravagant doughnuts. Everything on offer at Sugar Loaf is baked at their Bake House, which is based at Milford Waterfront as well.

Sugar Loaf offers Pembrokeshire produce, including jams, marmalades, chutneys, pates, cheeses and fudge from local suppliers. Sugar Loaf are also fully licensed supplying a wide range of wines, local ales, cider and spirits. 

The Sugar Loaf team are not only passionate about artisan bread and baked goods, they care about the environment too, sourcing supplies locally to minimise their carbon footprint, and providing biodegradable/compostable packing for their takeaway products with the business looking to work towards being plastic free.

Established in early 2020 by owners Lee and Nic, CUB3D is an independent clothing brand which started selling environmentally-friendly fashion online and due to a successful start, CUB3D opened their store here later that year, adding to the great range of independent shops at Milford Waterfront. CUB3D does their branding and design work in-house to provide a quality service. All of the products that they design and create are moving more towards recycled and carbon neutral garments. They are also hoping to expand their ‘Earth Positive and Salvage’ recycled clothing range in 80-90% of their product offering by summer 2021. They offer products including t-shirts (which are 100% recycled), hoodies, jumpers, bobble hats, knitted hats, caps, belts, wallets and iPad cases too.

Opening its doors in March 2021 by owner Owen Grey, OG Barbers is the only dedicated barbershop at Milford Waterfront. Confident in all aspects of barbering, they provide a wide range of professional services including standards cuts, fades, skin fades and beard trims too. OG Barbers also offers top-of-the-range products used to style your hair, including Dapper Dan, Black Label and Fudge.

The Scoop Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop has been serving ice creams from its kiosk next to the Pier Head since 2016, but this year due to its popularity, the business has developed and brought ice cream making back to Milford Haven with the addition of their own new ‘Ice Creamery’, based just over the road at Neptune House. This means that the ice cream served at the The Scoop is made at Milford Waterfront, with milk from Steynton Farm.

Coco’s Restaurant was taken over by new owners James and Phil in August 2020, offering a great selection of food and drinks in an informal, relaxed city-style venue. COCO’s home, ‘The Sail Loft’ is a Grade II listed building, which was once used to service the Nantucket Whaling ships and is now home to this vibrant restaurant serving yummy meals, decadent cocktails and coffee and cake every day from 11am.

Steve Edwards, Commercial Director at the Port of Milford Haven commented: “We are so delighted to have welcomed all these exciting new businesses to Milford Waterfront. It was reassuring to see non-essential businesses reopen earlier this month and now outdoor dining returning as well. Given the challenges that the pandemic has presented, as a destination we really are bucking the trend, with new businesses choosing to be based here at Milford Waterfront! Developing hospitality and tourism in the area is an important strategy for the Port, and with the addition of the new 100 bedroom Tŷ Hotel, which will be opening in spring next year, we really are achieving the ambition to make Milford Waterfront a must-visit destination in Pembrokeshire. We have so many fantastic businesses here that offer a variety of services to visitors, and we cannot wait to see everyone enjoying themselves as lockdown restrictions ease.”

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL in Tenby is set to reopen as part of the ‘Coast & Country Hotel Collection’, a newly formed collection of former Shearings Hotels.

The reopening plans to breathe new life into the hotel, focussing on its premium location and facilities.
The Imperial went into administration in May last year after its parent company, Shearing Hotels, entered insolvency.
Then, at the height of the Covid pandemic and with little sign of recovery in the tourist trade, the Imperial faced an uncertain future.

Under new ownership and following a Hotel Management Agreement with Bespoke Hotels, the hotel is set to reopen as lockdown eases.

It aims to reopen on May 17, in line with current government guidance.

The hotel is busily recruiting staff and is particularly keen on offering opportunities to the Imperial’s former employees.
Paul FitzGerald, Portfolio Managing Director, said: “Giving n the enormous challenges of the last few months, we’re delighted to bring The Imperial Hotel back to the market.

“It’s a lovely property that’s superbly located, and well-known within the area, and we know the initial closure was felt keenly amongst the local community.

“Now though, with reopening plans in place, we’re able to offer not just jobs and wider tourism opportunities, but a hospitality service that people can engage with as restrictions lift.

“With the country having been unable to enjoy the delights of hospitality for so long, everyone is eager to enjoy themselves post lockdown, and as people are starting to realise these properties are reopening, we’re already seeing keen interest to book – something that bodes really well for their future success,” he continued.

Mr Fitzgerald continued: “Our renewed focus with reopening is on reaching wider audiences.

“In particular we are looking to attract those seeking leisure breaks and welcoming local residents to sample the restaurants, bars, and wedding and event spaces on offer as we look to restore the hotel to local hero status and develop a close bond with communities.”

Thomas Greenall, Managing Director of Bespoke Hotels, said: “Coast & Country Hotel Collection is made up of some prominent local hotels in some wonderful and well-established leisure locations and we’re thrilled to be able to facilitate their reopening.

“We know the initial closures of many of these properties caused a real stir in their local communities last year, so we hope they’ll be keen to embrace their reopening and support the individual hotels in their endeavours.”
“We hope this will be regarded as a very positive move for the area – delivering jobs, support for communities and vital trade for suppliers and ancillary businesses.”