News

Pembroke Dock: Council has approved plan for new KFC drive thru

Published

5 years ago

February 14, 2021

LOCAL chicken lovers will finally be able to enjoy a KFC – without a drive to Carmarthen – now that permission has been granted for a new restaurant to be built in Pembrokeshire.

The drive thru will be built on the soon to be demolished training centre on London Road, opposite the entrance to Tesco supermarket in Pembroke Dock.

The new development will require 25 full time employees, a planning application document stated.

But even though work has not started on the new food outlet, jobs are already being advertised online.

A planning application was submitted last year by Euro Garages Group for a drive thru restaurant in Pembroke Dock has been given full approval by Pembrokeshire County Council officers.

Finger licking good – local chicken lovers will be pleased (File photo)

Pembrokeshire County Council said in their report: “This full planning application seeks permission for the demolition of the existing structures on the site and the erection of a drive thru and associated development.”

In reaching their decision council planners said: “The proposal would result in the delivery of new food and drink retail development that would have positive economic and social impacts through the provision of a new facility.

“In addition there would be no adverse environmental impacts due to construction to improved environmental standards and the site’s sustainable location.

“Given the length of time the training centre has been vacant (in excess of 5 years) and the subsequent retail planning permission the loss of this facility has previously been established.

“The proposed development is located within Pembroke Dock, and due to the fact there are no existing facilities with drive thru within the town
centre, the direct impact is likely to be limited and therefore the proposed use would not impact negatively on the vitality and viability of any Town or Local Retail Centre.”

Haverfordwest and Pembroke are two areas that KFC has recently listed as targets for expansion.

Speaking last year a spokesman for KFC said Pembroke Dock was one of their target locations, bit said “it was not a guarantee” that any store would open.

They said: “We always have a list of areas where we’re on the lookout for new restaurants. We know there’s loads of chicken lovers out there waiting patiently for the Colonel to arrive in their town so watch this space.”

KFC also said: “We have bold ambitions to have over 1,000 stores in the UK and Ireland by 2020 and we are looking to build over 50 new stores a year.”

Publicity of the application was undertaken, and three letters of representation were received objecting to the proposed development. Objections included there being no access statement or traffic management proposal. There were fears about the impact on the highway network, and alleged lack of detail about the specifics of the site occupant (The application does not mention KFC and the council report describes the project as a coffee shop).

Traffic concerns: Objectors said there was no traffic management plan for the new development, which could be very popular (File photo)

There were concerns about low level wage nature of the job creation as a result of the development.

One objector argued that there should be retention and reuse of the existing building rather than demolition. There are concerns over increased litter, and one correspondent said that the development should incorporate use of renewable energy.

Pembroke Dock Town Council also objected to the development.

In March 2020, planning applicant Euro Garages Group became KFC’s largest franchisee in Europe through the acquisition of 145 KFC outlets in the UK and Ireland. The application was given full approval on December 22.

The picture at the top of this article is a photo of a new KFC store in Carlisle. According to the plans, the Pembrokeshire store will looks very similar.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

1 hour ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

11 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

11 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.