News

Co-op eyes May opening

Published

9 years ago

April 4, 2016

MAJOR UK retailer The Cooperative Food WILL be opening its store in Tenby later this year, telling The Herald that it plans a May opening, after rumours had circulated the town that it had pulled out of the development after a lack of action on the site since the turn of the year.

The community retailer – which is investing to transform and grow its convenience business – is expected to open its first new Welsh store of 2016 in Heywood Lane, on the site of the former Post Office vehicle repair shop on The Green, in mid to late May, with the store manager being named as Carole John.

The Co-op has invested close to £600,000 to fit out its latest food store, which will have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials. An in-store bakery, hot food, ATM and a Costa coffee dispenser will further enhance the in store experience for shoppers.

In addition, the appointment of a Community Pioneer will underpin the Co-op’s commitment to playing its part and making a difference in the local community.

A Community Pioneer is a member of the food store team who also works to foster involvement in community activities such as local fundraising initiatives and working with local charities, schools and voluntary organisations to make a difference in the community.

The Community Pioneer, along with the new store manager – Carole John – will also lead the store’s support for the British Red Cross, the Co-op’s new charity partnership which will help to tackle social isolation and loneliness in Welsh communities.

Oliver Huntley, Area Manager for The Co-op, said: “The Co-op is investing to transform and grow its convenience business and, we are delighted to be opening the Co-op’s first new Welsh store this year here in Tenby, it really is an exciting time for the whole team.

“The store will have a fantastic look, it represents a significant investment which has created around 15 retail roles – we are delighted to have the opportunity to serve the local community. We are confident that the store will be a real asset to the community. As a community retailer, and a co-operative, it will play its part in local life and we look forward to welcoming the community into their new local Co-op.”

There will be offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its launch. Students in Tenby – who hold a NUS extra card – also receive a 10% discount off their groceries in the store.

The store is part of a major investment programme of more than £11m in Wales this year in which the retailer has designed to create ten new stores and, provide major makeovers for more than a dozen other stores.

The Co-op has this month (March) announced an investment to lower the price of over 200 of its own-branded British meat and poultry products.

Its annualised investment in lowering prices will this year top £200M. By the end of the year, The Co-op will have reduced prices on over 1,000 everyday essentials including pruning the price of over 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

3 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

3 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”