News

New life for town centre with four shop openings in Milford Haven

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

WHEN Woolworths closed its doors for the final time on January 2, 2009, the closure heralded a slow and steady decline of what was once the commercial heart of the historic port town of Milford Haven.

Shops in Charles Street began folding on a regular basis and the properties remained empty as business people shunned what had been the town’s commercial pulse.

Now, thanks to the foresight and commitment of a band of local traders, Charles Street could soon be on the turn. This week alone, two new shops have opened on Charles Street, which follow hot on the heels of several other businesses which have begun trading here over the last six months. And when one considers that the town holds the UK’s fourth largest port in terms of tonnage and plays an important role in the United Kingdom’s energy sector with its oil refinery and one of the biggest LNG terminals in the world, the news is hardly surprising.

One of these new businesses is ‘Moon Goddess and Captured Soul Photography’, run by business partners Nikki Jenkins and Jaimie Gurney. The shop sells a range of spiritual items, giftware and incense, while photographer Jaimie specialises in children’s and family portraits, product photography and landscapes.

“This is Milford Haven’s town centre and always has been,” Jaimie told The Pembrokeshire Herald. “Our whole purpose is to start drawing people into Charles Street and encourage more local economic growth.”

Nikki has worked in other Charles Street outlets for a number of years, and has witnessed its steady decline.

“When I first started working in Charles Street, around 12 years ago, things were looking pretty positive but then more and more businesses started to close,” she said.

“This is why we’re trying to do everything we can to raise people’s interest in what’s going on here, and start bringing the footfall back.”

Nikki’s comments were echoed by Lowrie Davies who runs ‘Cwtch Candles’, also on Charles Street.

“I’m a born and bred Milford girl and I remember walking the entire length of Charles Street when it took me forever, because there were so many shops to visit,” she said.

“It was a huge blow for the town when Woolworths closed and sadly, things started to go downhill from then on.”

Lowrie began running her candle, melts and bath bomb business from her home in Milford town centre and then, in November 2023, decided to move into one of the vacant shops in Charles Street.

“I’d been running the business from home for years, going to craft shows and having a shelf in a craft-related shop, and this is what inspired me to move here.”
As well as selling her wide range of beautifully aromatic products, Lowrie also offers shelf rental space to other local crafters, including beaded jewellery, glassware, baby knits and personalised wooden crafts.

“I want to give people the chance that I had when I started out, so each of the exhibitors keep 100% of their sales. But it also means that I can stock a good range of items in the shop, so that there’s always something different for people to see.

“It’s so heartening to see the other new shops opening in Charles Street and I just hope that it will continue. We’ve already got the most amazing wool shop that’s doing so well, but there are also several little independent shops in the side streets leading off from Charles Street, such as a fantastic butcher, the haberdashery shop and even an upholsterer. Milford Haven town centre really has got it all.”

Another popular social hub is ‘Mabon Mana and Monsters’, run by Richard Morris and Mandy Brown. The business has been trading since 2017 from Robert Street, but in June 2024, the couple decided to move to Charles Street.

In addition to their selection of 1980s retro items, gothic artefacts, their ‘witchy area’ and a fantastic selection of incense, they also host gaming sessions on Friday evenings with Dungeons and Dragons and the fantasy card game ‘Magic: The Gathering’.

“We started the gaming off with Dungeons and Dragons and it proved so popular we knew we had to branch out with something else, and this is how Magic: The Gathering started,” said Richard.

“It was obvious that this was what people wanted and it’s become a real social event that people of all ages come to. It’s great that people are choosing to spend time chatting to their friends and playing the games, rather than going to the pub or staring at their phones or ipads.”

Richard, who is a native of Solva, is keen to continue raising Milford Haven’s profile as a thriving town for local people.

“This is what it’s all about,” he said. “This is a local business for local people to enjoy, with the result that we’ve now got a really good hub.”

Mana and Monsters is the sole business in Pembrokeshire to be affiliated with Wizards of the Coast, who are the makers of Magic: The Gathering enabling them to get all their promotional stuff and pre-releases which can be followed on Facebook and the shops Youtube channel.

Two other new shops that have recently opened on Charles Street is Alf Seren Antiques and Collectables and The Vape Shop.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.