Haverfordwest café praised as small independent business flies flag for Pembrokeshire

A HAVERFORDWEST café has been named as a semi-finalist for Best Turkish Restaurant in Wales.

Turkish Kitchen & Café, based on Quay Street, has been recognised in the awards, with local representatives visiting to congratulate the team.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor attended the café with Henry Tufnell MP to wish the business well in the next stage of the competition.

Hatice Eltan, from Turkish Kitchen, said: “As a small independent café, achievements like this would not be possible without our amazing customers, friends, and local community.

“Thank you for your continued support — we are proud to represent our town and look forward to what comes next.”

Cllr Tudor said it had been “lovely” to visit the café and congratulate the team on reaching the semi-finals.

The business, which has built up a strong local following, is now hoping to progress further in the Welsh awards.

Photo caption: Congratulations: Cllr Thomas Tudor and Henry Tufnell MP visited Hatice Eltan at Turkish Kitchen & Café on Quay Street, Haverfordwest.

A PERSON has been taken to hospital following a major multi-agency emergency response on The Esplanade in Tenby.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called at around 10:35am today (Thursday, June 4) following a report of concern for the welfare of an individual at a property on The Esplanade.

Police attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident, with motorists and pedestrians urged to avoid the area.

Fire crews from Tenby, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven were mobilised at 11:00am following a request for assistance from police.

Witnesses reported seeing a large emergency services presence in the area, including several fire appliances and police vehicles.

There were also reports from people at the scene that an individual had been on the roof of a hotel. This has not been officially confirmed by police or fire officials, but may explain the scale of the fire service response.

Photographs taken at the scene show police cordons in place on The Esplanade, with fire crews, ambulance staff and officers gathered near seafront hotel buildings.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 11:00am on Thursday, June 4, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews were mobilised to an incident on The Esplanade, Tenby, following a request for assistance from Dyfed-Powys Police.

“Crews from Tenby, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven attended alongside colleagues from the ambulance service and Dyfed-Powys Police.

“This was a multi-agency response to a welfare-related incident, and the road was closed while emergency services were in attendance.

“The individual has since been conveyed to hospital for medical attention.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police responded to a report at approx. 10.35am today (4/6) regarding the concern for the welfare of an individual at a property on Esplanade in Tenby.

“Officers attended the scene with colleagues from both the ambulance and fire services, and the road was closed while emergency services were present.

“The individual has been taken to hospital for medical attention.”

The Esplanade has since been the subject of traffic disruption while emergency services worked at the scene.

No further details about the individual’s condition have been released.

Pictures: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby

REFORM WALES has accused the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government of creating uncertainty over future council tax bills after ministers declined to confirm whether a planned revaluation of homes will go ahead in 2028.

The revaluation forms part of wider council tax reform approved under the Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024. The Welsh Government has previously said the changes are intended to make the system fairer and more progressive, with regular revaluations every five years.

However, Local Government Minister Siân Gwenllian has said the issue is under review, with further decisions to be set out in due course.

Reform Wales said residents needed clarity at a time when many households were already facing rising bills.

Francesca O’Brien MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, said: “Plaid Cymru’s uncertainty on council tax reform demonstrates a lack of clear decision-making and will do little to reassure hard-pressed households already facing rising bills.

“Reform Wales believes those who pay the bills should have the final say. That’s why we would introduce local referendums on any council tax rise above 4.99%, preventing excessive increases and putting more money back into people’s pockets.”

Supporters of reform argue that Wales’ council tax system is outdated, with property values still largely based on valuations from 2003. They say revaluation could make the system fairer by ensuring households in lower-value homes are not disproportionately burdened.

Critics, however, fear that any revaluation could create winners and losers, with some households facing higher bills depending on how property values have changed in their area.

The Welsh Government has said further details will be provided once its review is complete.