Business

Pembs Pet Supplies & Spa gets tails wagging

Published

5 years ago

May 6, 2021

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.

Pembs Pet Supplies & Spa: A brand new local business

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.

Exciting times: Lauren now has space to stock pet products and to expand the services she offers

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!

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.