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£11.6m Western Quayside development ‘will change fortune of the town,’ say council

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THE £11.6m Western Quayside redevelopment of Haverfordwest will “change the fortune of the town,” senior councillors heard.

The Western Quayside is currently under construction on the site of the town’s former Ocky White department store.

It comprises a state-of-the-art, accessible-to-all, three-storey development which will feature a multi-user food emporium, along with a restaurant, bar and rooftop terrace.

Construction work commenced in 2021 by John Weaver Contractors Ltd, and the project was originally expected to be completed in early 2023.

Work was temporarily delayed last year following the discovery of ancient artefacts and human remains dating back to the 14th century, however throughout the delay the construction team was able to proceed with work in other areas of the site.

There were also delays due to the presence of asbestos.

At the July 3 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members heard an update on the development, which also listed delays and cost increases.

“A budget increase was considered by Cabinet in December 2022 with an addition of £5.527m (including fit-out) for the Western Quayside Scheme, to provide a revised total budget of £11,624m,” the report stated.

Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change Cllr Paul Miller said: “Western Quayside has not been without its challenges, Covid, the burial site and inflationary issues, in part due to the war in Ukraine; all three were pretty unforeseeable.”

He told members the principal works were expected to be completed later this year, along with marketing the site to prospective tenants, with the hope of encouraging local business.

“Western Quayside, on its own, will not transform Haverfordwest, but as part of a package it will, including the Riverside Centre and the [transport] interchange and the revitalised castle.”

Moving the report be noted, he added: “I absolutely remain convinced the package we’re delivering will be transformational for Haverfordwest and the surrounding area.”

Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery Cllr Jon Harvey seconded the recommendation, emphasising the large amount of grant funding received for the project.

“Personally, I’d rather get as much central and Welsh Government money into Pembrokeshire as we can, it will be a real attraction for the town, it will push the town into a different dynamic,” he said.

“When you invest publicly into town centres it’s not long afterwards that private invests; we will see a change in the town centre.”

Cllr Miller added: “We had to do something about Haverfordwest town centre, the previous plan seemed to be to let it wither on the vine.

“We’re absolutely going to change the fortune of that town centre,” adding: “Haverfordwest can look forward to a much brighter future than would otherwise be the case.”

Members agreed to note the report.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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