News
Tenby: Fashion retailer creates 30 jobs as it opens doors
NATION-WIDE fashion retailer M&Co has opened its doors to customers in Tenby.
M&Co announced it had agreed a lease with family-run T.P. Hughes to occupy its 10,000 sq ft property fronting on High Street, Upper Frog Street and St Nicholas Lane, which include the extensions into Bank Lane.
The store has created 30 new jobs with five positions being filled by former T.P. Hughes staff.
This is the third store in Wales for the fashion retailer, which ranges include women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and accessories, together with homeware products.
Advised by Cardiff-based independent commercial property specialists Cooke & Arkwright, T.P. Hughes will still operate in the town but will focus its efforts on home furnishings.
T.P. Hughes will continue to sell furniture, carpets, bedding and home furnishings from the current carpet shop location in Upper Frog Street.
Chris Hughes of T.P. Hughes said: “We’re really pleased to have signed this deal with M&Co and help them open their third store in Wales. Five of our current staff have secured jobs with the retailer and we are sure they will be very happy in their new positions.
“Having had such a long-standing presence in Wales, we always review our business strategy in line with customer demand. As a result, we are now focusing our offering on home furnishings.
Huw Thomas, director at Cooke & Arkwright, said: “T.P. Hughes has been a key part of the Tenby retail offering for over a century and it was important for us to secure a long-term lease to a company that T.P. Hughes felt would benefit and add value to the Tenby community, of which it has played and will continue to play a key part moving forward.
“Whilst we did generate interest from a number of other retailers as well as some alternative uses, it was agreed that M&Co’s broad fashion line would be the most beneficial in attracting shoppers to Tenby.
“M&Co’s complimentary trade with the existing TP Hughes furnishings business, their recruitment of some of the existing TP Hughes staff, as well as their long-term commitment to investing into the building, demonstrates how securing this agreement with M&Co was the correct course of action to take.
“We’re sure that T.P. Hughes, M&Co and their customers will benefit immensely from the new store opening.”
Steve Knott, M&Co executive chairman, said: “I think the new store looks absolutely fantastic; with help from TP Hughes we were able to turn the store around within 6 weeks of being given the keys – which is brilliant.”
“We were very keen to retain the heritage of the building and feel that we’ve done TP Hughes proud.”
“The initial reaction from customers is that they are really delighted that we’re here – so fingers crossed that we will have a long and established relationship with Tenby.”
Entertainment
Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience torock Tenby Blues Festival
THE soulful, genre-bending blues act, Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, is set to take the main stage on Friday at Tenby Blues Festival, bringing their high-energy mix of blues, rock, and soul.
Ranked #3 on both the Roots Music Report UK and the UK IBBA Most Played chart in September 2024, Pat Fulgoni’s latest album, Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, has captured the hearts of blues lovers across the UK. Released on September 27, 2024, the album has received praise for its dynamic fusion of blues, funk, and soul. Tracks like “Drifter,” “Keep The Blues Alive,” and “Stickin’ the Knife in Blues” showcase Fulgoni’s powerful vocals, which have been hailed by Billboard magazine, describing him as a singer who “could sing a pearl from its oyster.”
The Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience began as a spontaneous lineup supporting a food bank fundraiser in Huddersfield. Since then, Fulgoni and his band have performed at numerous blues festivals, from Colne Blues to Blues Alive in the Czech Republic, and have built a reputation as a sought-after live act. The band’s lineup features rising guitar talent Jacob Beckwith, alongside the rhythm section of bassist Rory Wells and drummer Zebedee Sylvester, with Sam Bolt on piano. Together, they deliver a distinctive blend of original tracks and classic covers, including “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” and “Midnight Train.”
For fans of soulful, energetic blues, don’t miss Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience this Friday at Tenby Blues Festival. More information and music are available on Spotify, Bandcamp, and other platforms.
Track Listing:
- Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
- Drifter
- Keep The Blues Alive
- Midnight Train
- Bleeding Heart
- Lady Day & John Coltrane
- Confusion Blues
- The Thrill Is Gone
- Stickin’ the Knife in Blues
For press inquiries, contact Matt at Chocolate Fireguard on 07974 675244 or email [email protected].
For more updates, follow Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience on Facebook @patfulgonibluesexperience or explore their latest releases on Bandcamp.
News
Multi-million pound grant funding for transport projects sought
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is seeking £10.3 million grant funding from Welsh Government for a range of important transport improvement and active travel projects.
The projects will benefit local communities all over the county, said Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader.
Cllr Miller added: “By approving the need for these bids to be submitted we are demonstrating our commitment to improving communities for all residents, across Pembrokeshire.”
Among the Local Transport Fund grants bids being made are Public Transport Interchange Improvements at Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock.
A detailed scheme update on the Milford haven scheme was provided to the Cabinet last month. Subject to confirmation of further funding contributions from Welsh Government, work could start to begin on site next year and be completed in 2026.
This project is a key enabler for improving rail connectivity for Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire as a whole.
It also supports the work being done with Welsh and UK Governments as well as Great Western Railways to secure the return of direct, high speed, intercity services to the town.
The scheme involves improvement works to the existing Milford Haven train station to create a new public transport interchange by relocating the existing rail platform and providing a dedicated bus interchange between the station and retail area, along with a taxi rank, formalised car park, public realm spaces and improved Active Travel links.
The Pembroke Dock Interchange scheme is for a new public transport and active link from Pembroke Dock Retail Park, and subject to grant award, work would concentrate on design of connectivity into the interchange from London Road, and the installation of Traffic Signals.
The Active Travel Fund is an opportunity to seek funding for the completion of schemes in Saundersfoot, at Stammers Road and Francis Road.
The Resilient Roads Fund bid will cover a bid for the Newgale Coastal Adaptation and A487 Diversion. An update was provided to Cabinet meeting on 9th September.
There has been extensive engagement and consultation on this scheme, and the solution recommended is based on significant data and evidence which is contained in the project website library. There remains some discussion over the scheme proposal from some members of the community, and the Council is committed to listing to all views, and explaining its stance on adaptation to the challenges presented by climate change at this location.
Preparation of a Planning Application, including the statutory Pre-Application Consultation, is due later this financial year, which will again allow open and transparent scrutiny of proposals.
The Council’s proposals are about adaptation to tackle the scale of the problem of climate change.
Meanwhile, the county’s provision of electric charging points is seeking a boost with an application for grant to further expand the network and related infrastructure.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services added: “These bids, if approved, will bring to improvements to travel for all aspects of transportation in Pembrokeshire. Drivers, commuters, cyclists, pedestrians and others will all benefit.”
News
Accident investigators issue update following fatal train collision
THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has issued its latest updates following a rail crash in Wales last month.
On October 21, at approximately 7:26 pm, Transport for Wales passenger train 1J25, en route from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, collided with train 1S71, the Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service, near Talerddig, Powys. The crash, which occurred on Network Rail’s Cambrian line, claimed the life of one passenger and left four others seriously injured. Eleven additional passengers required hospital treatment. Both trains sustained considerable damage, although neither derailed.
Immediate response
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) was alerted at 7:45 pm and quickly dispatched inspectors to the site. Working alongside the British Transport Police, Office of Rail and Road, and involved railway companies, RAIB secured evidence to support an independent safety investigation. Network Rail was cleared to begin site repairs on October 23, and the trains were removed by October 25.
Preliminary findings
The collision involved two 2-car class 158 diesel multiple units equipped with wheel slide protection and automatic sanding systems, designed to improve traction. Both units operate on the Cambrian line, which uses the European Rail Traffic Management System to transmit signalling data directly to trains, eliminating the need for traditional lineside signals.
Initial analysis indicates that train 1J25, headed west, was supposed to stop in a passing loop near Talerddig to allow the eastbound train 1S71 to pass. Data from the on-train recorder shows that 1J25’s driver applied the brakes upon approaching the loop. However, emergency braking was initiated shortly afterward due to persistent wheel slide, which continued until the collision occurred. The westbound train passed through the loop but was unable to stop before rejoining the single track, eventually colliding with train 1S71 about 900 meters beyond the loop.
Key areas of investigation
The RAIB’s ongoing investigation will examine several factors, including:
- The events leading to the collision and the actions of involved personnel
- Levels of wheel/rail adhesion on the approach to Talerddig and at the collision site
- The functionality of train 1J25’s braking, wheel slide protection, and sanding systems
- The response and policies of Transport for Wales and Network Rail regarding low wheel/rail adhesion on the Cambrian line
- Measures taken to manage overrun risks and any relevant underlying issues
RAIB will release further updates as its investigation progresses.
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