TENBY’S former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema could become a retro computer gaming lounge, plans submitted to the national park hope.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

The cinema had been doing poor business after the opening of a multiplex in Carmarthen; in late 2010 the opening night of the-then latest Harry Potter blockbuster only attracted an audience of 12 people.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, White Lion Street, most recently used as a Poundland store.

The signage plans form part of a wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front facade, a supporting statement through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says.

“The subject site is located within the settlement of Tenby along White Lion St. The site was formerly the Gatehouse Cinema and currently operates as a Poundland discount store, which closed on October 18.”

It adds: “This application forms part of a wider scheme for the change of use to the former Gatehouse Cinema. Advertisement consent is sought for a non-illuminated aluminium composite folded panel that will be bolted onto the front façade of the proposed building, in replacement of the existing signage (Poundland).”

It stresses: “It is considered that the proposed advertisement will not have a detrimental impact on the quality of the environment, along with being within a proportionate scale of the building. It is considered that the proposed signage will reflect site function.

“Furthermore, due to the sympathetic scale and design of the sign itself, it is considered that the proposal will not result in any adverse visual amenity impacts.

“The proposal is reduced in sized compared to the existing Poundland advertisement. The sign will not be illuminated. Given the above it is considered that such proportionate signate in association with the proposed retro gaming lounge is acceptable and does not adversely affect visual amenity.”

An application for a retro gaming lounge by MB Games Ltd was recently given the go-ahead in Swansea.

A CALL to change the use of a Pembrokeshire farm holiday cottage to a crochet workshop has been given the go-ahead by Pembrokeshire planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Evans of Lochmeyler Farm, Llandeloy, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission for a change of use of a self-catered cottage to a crochet workshop.

A supporting statement says the application, one of a number of historic farm diversification schemes on site “seeks to continue to evolve with current market demands,” the cottage proposed for the change of use once a former outbuilding that was originally converted in 1992 into “a well-established holiday let”.

It added: “Made by Margo is a well-regarded local business founded by Margo Evans, a passionate lifelong crafter who began knitting at a young age. Her company specialises in creating handcrafted, contemporary crochet products using high-quality natural materials.

“Accordingly, Margo is a highly sought-after teacher known for her popular crochet classes.  This proposal is motivated by a recognised need for a permanent space for the business, as to date the applicant has needed to use community halls or similar spaces to accommodate clients.

“Thus, the proposed change of use will secure a permanent space for these workshops and will future proof the business against the lack of availability of public spaces.

“Other alternatives have been considered with the cottage being the most viable option, particularly as demand has waned for holiday cottage post Covid-19. The holiday cottage, whilst once popular, is no longer in high demand, with visitors requiring more modern amenities and larger spaces which without significant investment, this holiday cottage is unable to provide.

“Consequently, the cottage’s change of use will diversify the farm’s revenue, while simultaneously providing a permanent base for a small rural business. While the primary customer base is local, the space may also help attract seasonal tourism and broaden the business’s appeal.”

It says the operation would be on a small scale, with a maximum of six people per class and a three day per-week schedule.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “The provision of a workshop would have both social and environmental benefits for the applicant and local community through the provision of business and income generated from the operation.

“With regard to environmental impacts, positive environmental impacts would be achieved through the re-use of the building. Whilst the proposed location is in the open countryside, which is not a sustainable location, the proposed operation of the business is low scale.  It is considered that the number of trips would be of low frequency when compared to the potential number of trips that are generated from tourism.”

The application was conditionally approved.

PRIVATE equity firms have been accused of collaring the market in a corporate “feeding frenzy” that has seen local, independent vets gobbled up by global giants.

Carolyn Thomas told the Senedd that non-vet ownership has led to a “monopolisation” of the sector, with six big firms owning 60% of UK practices – up from 10% a decade ago.

Leading a debate on Wednesday December 10, the Labour politician warned the “endless pursuit of profit” was driving down wages for staff while pushing up fees for customers.

“The cost-of-living crisis has put significant financial burden on pet owners,” she said.

“Many have been priced out of pet insurance, with premiums based on postcode. If an area has a large corporate presence, premiums are higher, but without insurance, sudden, huge vet bills can be impossible to pay…

“I read about pet owners skipping meals to cover costs, having to hand over their pets to rescue, or – in some cases – very sadly being forced to euthanise their pet.”

The short debate was prompted by a petition submitted by Linda Evelyn Joyce-Jones raising concerns about the corporate takeover of veterinary practices.

In 1999, the Blair UK Government changed the law to allow vet practices to be owned not only by qualified veterinary surgeons.

Ms Thomas raised an ongoing Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the veterinary market for household pets which has uncovered major competition concerns.

She told Senedd Members: “One of the companies being looked into is IVC Evidensia, the largest provider of vet services in the UK, owning over 1,000 practices. It is owned in part by Nestlé, which also manufactures pet food.

“How can owners be confident of the quality of the food or the nutrition advice from their vet when the two have such a conflict of interest?”

Ms Thomas, who chairs the Senedd’s petitions committee, said bills for pet owners have increased by 60% – “double the rate of inflation and increases in vet salaries”.

She pointed to growing pressure on rescue centres, with the RSPCA reporting a 25% rise in the number of pets abandoned in Wales and England this year.

She said: “Pets are a much-loved part of the family and it can be incredibly worrying for owners and have a significant mental health impact when their animal becomes unwell.

“It’s even more stressful and expensive when this happens outside of normal practice hours, and many of the large companies… do not cover out-of-hours emergency care.”

Ms Thomas told the Senedd the corporate takeover is having a “severe negative impact” on those working in the sector, “which is plagued by support staff experiencing poverty pay”.

She warned vets feel pressured to upsell to pet owners or book emergency appointments for non-urgent symptoms due to strict deadlines and targets.

“The situation is clearly unsustainable,” she said.

“It’s costing the lives of pets, it’s traumatising and unaffordable for pet owners and has created an unacceptable work environment for vets and support staff.

“France has taken legal steps against the corporate ownership of clinics, and Ireland is considering the same. I believe that the UK needs to take action now, before it’s too late.”

The north Walian warned of a “dire” situation on Anglesey where there are no out-of-hours vet services, “a constant source of concern for local pet owners”.

Andrew RT Davies, the former Tory group leader, described the situation on Ynys Môn as an “unmitigated disaster” for islanders who view their pets as part of their family.

Responding to the debate, Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’ Deputy First Minister, acknowledged the growing trend of corporate consolidation had raised critical questions.

Mr Irranca-Davies, who is responsible for animal welfare policy, said the Welsh Government was awaiting the final outcome of the CMA’s investigation expected in March 2026.

He pointed out that regulation of veterinary surgeons remains non-devolved as he welcomed the UK Government’s intention to consult on “timely” reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

The MP-turned-Senedd Member, who was a Defra minister under Gordon Brown, said: “My priority is to ensure that Wales has exemplary standards of animal health and welfare, and a thriving veterinary sector is essential to achieving those goals.”