Business

Bus service shake-up passes first Senedd stop

Published

6 months ago

September 18, 2025

PLANS to end the current “de-regulated” bus system passed the first stop on the legislative journey as the Senedd voted in favour of the general principles.

Senedd voted 37-12, with one abstaining, in support of the bus bill which seeks to replace the current system in which private operators decide most routes on a commercial basis.

A franchising model similar to Greater Manchester’s would be introduced under the bill, with the Welsh Government gaining control of routes, timetables, fares and standards.

Ken Skates, Wales’ transport secretary, told the Senedd: “Moving from the current deregulated model will support a truly integrated transport system that is fit for purpose.”

He said the franchising model would put people first, driving up passenger numbers and generating more revenue from fares which can then be used to improve services.

If the bill completes its journey through the Welsh Parliament, Transport for Wales would roll out the new system in phases over four to five years, beginning in south-west Wales.

Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd’s infrastructure committee, said the case for the changes is compelling, with fragile rural services and declining patronage in some areas.

While he backed the “important and necessary step forward”, Mr Gruffydd shared the concerns of witnesses who told the committee the bill lacks detail in some key areas.

“It has been disappointing that significant aspects of the proposals will only become clear once the bill has become law,” said the Plaid Cymru politician, who called for key commitments to be set out in the bill, “not left to the goodwill of a future government”.

Mr Gruffydd expressed concerns about a “significant” gap in the bill around congestion and infrastructure, with witnesses warning services will not otherwise improve under any model.

The Conservatives’ Sam Rowlands shared a desire to improve public transport but he warned the bus bill “falls short” and the franchising model is the wrong vehicle.

He told Senedd Members far too many businesses folded following the introduction of franchising in Manchester after being excluded from procurement due to red tape.

Mr Rowlands said: “What the Bill completely fails to address is the single biggest challenge facing bus services today, and that’s congestion. Reliability is crucial. You can’t have a modern, integrated public transport system if buses are stuck in traffic and consistently late.”

During the debate on September 16, Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell broadly backed the bill but she suggested learner transport, which was omitted, has been treated as an afterthought.

She said: “Learner travel must be guaranteed, and therefore it must be included in this Bill. We can’t gamble with whether or not a child gets to school safely.”

South Wales East's Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell — South Wales East’s Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell

The party’s deputy leader in the Senedd also called for a greater focus on accessibility, backing RNIB Cymru’s calls for minimum standards to be enshrined in operator contracts.

Labour’s Lee Waters said: “This bill is a big deal and, in time, it will make a big difference….

“Since Tory privatisation of the bus industry in the mid-1980s, the number of routes has shrunk, the pay of the staff has been suppressed and fares have risen. In fact, since privatisation, bus fares have risen faster than the cost of motoring.”

Criticising the current “dysfunctional” system, the former transport minister said operators make 100% private profit but more than half of their costs are met by the public purse.

He told the Senedd: “This private system costs taxpayers a lot of money… around £200m a year, throw in on top of that the cost of school transport – which takes up about 20% of the cost of school budgets – and none of this activity, none of this money is coordinated.”

Mr Waters pointed to the bill’s impact assessment which estimated the benefits of the bill at more than £3bn, five times greater than the costs of £600m, over a 30-year horizon.

Business

Jewellery roadshow in Lamphey today with cash offers for valuables

Published

3 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TRAVELLING jewellery and antiques roadshow is in Pembrokeshire today (Tuesday, Mar 17), offering free valuations and on-the-spot cash offers for a wide range of items.

The event is being held at the Best Western Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa and is open until 6:00pm this evening.

Organisers say they are looking to buy “all items of interest”, including gold, silver, rings, watches, coins, military memorabilia and diamond jewellery. Broken jewellery is also accepted, along with items in any condition.

The promotional material states there are no fees, no commissions and no obligation to sell, with free appraisals available to anyone who brings items along.

They are also advertising interest in vintage items such as old watches, scientific instruments, medal groups and even classic cars and motorbikes.

A follow-up event will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, Mar 18) at Hotel Mariners in Haverfordwest, running from 10:00am until 9:00pm, with late appointments available.

A third and final stop is scheduled for Thursday (Mar 19) at Wolfscastle Country Hotel, open from 10:00am until 6:00pm.

Organisers can be contacted on 07544 074 549, and also invite people to send photos via WhatsApp for a preliminary valuation.

Top prices paid: The jewellery and antiques roadshow is in Lamphey today before moving on to Haverfordwest and Wolfscastle (Pic: supplied).

Business

Haverfordwest Halifax bank nail bar scheme refused

Published

18 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to convert a Pembrokeshire town centre former bank to a nail bar has been refused by county planners.

Huw Tuyen Nguyen, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of the former Halifax bank at Grade-II-listed 10 Victoria Place, in Haverfordwest’s conservation area, to a nail bar, along with a related listed building consent.

Halifax closed its Haverfordwest branch back in 2024, leaving it with no more branches in the county.

A supporting statement accompanying the nail bar application at the three-storey building said: “The previous use of the building, a bank operated by the Halifax, ceased a few years ago and remains vacant making no contribution to the vitality or viability of the town centre.

“This application seeks to put the ground floor to an alternative commercial/retail use and which together with some internal and external alterations, also seeks to convert the upper two floors into a single high-quality flat. The upper floors have largely been under-utilised in the past. As such, the proposal would make a positive contribution to the town centre.”

It went on to say of the change of use to a nail bar: “This part of the application would allow the relocation and expansion of a professional service facility to serve Haverfordwest and the surrounding areas. This forms the basis of aspirations to grow the business, both in the immediate short term, and in the future as the business continues to grow.

“The applicant has explained that the current business is a nail salon which has been trading for some 15 years but under a different management. The applicant has had the business since January 2022.

“The business hours would be 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday but closed on Sundays and which would employ 2/3 people.”

The application was refused on the grounds “the proposed external alterations, by virtue of the chosen materials, finish and detailing, represent poor design that fails to respect the historic character of the listed building and the wider terrace”.

The refusal went on to say: “The works do not respond appropriately to the building’s significance and would result in a harmful intervention that undermines its special architectural and historic interest.

“Furthermore, the proposal fails to satisfy the statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Haverfordwest Conservation Area, and to pay special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building and its features of architectural and historic interest.”

Business

£1m loan for Haverfordwest Wilko redevelopment backed

Published

18 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for Pembrokeshire’s council to pursue a £1m loan to help fund the redevelopment of the ‘blight’ derelict former Wilko store in Haverfordwest as part of wider redevelopment of the county town has been backed.

A report for members of the March 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, recommended for approval by Leader Cllr Jon Harvey, said: “The proposed project seeks to repurpose and redevelop the former Wilko building located on [2-6] Old Bridge, Haverfordwest, a large and prominently positioned commercial unit.

“The project will enable the revitalisation of one of Haverfordwest’s most strategically positioned commercial units located immediately adjacent to the new Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange, on the main pedestrian route from the Interchange to the town centre.

“Pembrokeshire County Council, under Cabinet decision November 30, 2020, agreed the acquisition of Riverside Shopping Centre in Haverfordwest which includes the 2–6 Old Bridge and the Perrots Road Car Park.

“At the time of acquisition, the building was leased by Wilko, with this occupation ceasing when Wilko went into administration and the Haverfordwest store closed in September 2023.”

It added: “The building was in poor repair when returned from the outgoing tenant with limited ability to seek dilapidation costs as the tenant had gone into administration. The deteriorating roof and outdated internal configuration render it unsuitable for modern retail, commercial, or community use without significant investment.”

It went on to say: “The building’s current dereliction contributes to a blight at a key town access point. Funding would directly address these structural issues, unlocking the property’s potential and generating broader regeneration benefits for the town. High street anchor tenants attract significant footfall, with evidence showing that the majority of visitors subsequently engage with other shops.

“The preferred strategy is to secure such a tenant, creating a strong draw to the town centre and complementing surrounding uses. Even if a high street anchor is not achievable, there is credible interest in alternative commercial or community uses.”

It said an initial scoping stage “has identified a budget of circa £1.6m to undertake the required redevelopment works,” adding that the empty unit is currently costing the authority £125,000 a year annum in Business Rates, insurance and maintenance, along with a lost rental income of £150,000.

It said the council’s approved capital programme currently has £656,000 for the Riverside Phase 1/Eastern Quayside, and it was proposed that these funds are utilised, alongside an additional £1m funding source for 2-6 Old Bridge.

Cabinet Member for Young Persons, Community, Wellbeing and Future Generations Cllr Marc Tierney said: “The regeneration case on this particular property is really strong; if we don’t do anything the risk is we’re just holding on to another vacant property in Haverfordwest.”

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman said the proposal was part of “a bigger picture” of regeneration in the town, with Cabinet member for finance Cllr Alistair Cameron pointing out the loan, if approved, would be “interest-free” to the council.

Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey (Image: Pembropkeshire County Council webcast)

Cllr Harvey said: “I think we just have to do this, if we don’t we won’t get a major retailer in; this will really increase the retail offer in Haverfordwest , we’re spending a lot of money in Haverfordwest – grant-aided – and the town centre is in quite a reasonable situation.

“It’s really positive; in two-to-three-to-five years Haverfordwest will be a more vibrant place than it is today.”

Members backed a recommendation to submit a call for £1m from Town Centre Loan funding for the works, adding that to the current capital programme allocation, totalling £1.656m.

If the funding call is not successful, a future Cabinet meeting will hear alternative recommendations.