Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Business

Councillor to ‘confront Barclays Bank executives’ over planned branch closure

Published

on

AS previously reported in this newspaper, Barclays Bank has announced the impending closure of its Haverfordwest branch, marking the cessation of its physical banking presence in the county.

Set for May 10, the closure of the branch, situated on the bustling High Street of Haverfordwest, has been decried by local figures as an example of “draconian management.”

A bank spokesperson revealed that the Haverfordwest location serves a modest cohort of 32 regular customers who rely solely on this branch for their banking needs, eschewing digital interactions. The spokesperson further highlighted a shift in customer behaviour, noting that fewer than 10% of transactions now occur within branch walls. Instead, a staggering 90% of customer interactions have moved online, with Barclays recording nearly four billion app logins annually and boasting 10.9 million digital customers.

Not happy with banks: Councillor Tom Tudor

In the wake of this branch’s closure, Barclays has proposed the introduction of a Barclays Local in Haverfordwest. This initiative, a cashless banking site, aims to retain the personal touch of face-to-face banking support without necessitating travel for customers. The search for a suitable location is underway, with the bank pledging to keep the community informed of its plans.

This announcement coincides with news of Barclays shuttering its Cardigan branch on May 3, the last in Ceredigion, following a string of closures across the region including Tenby in November 2022, and Narberth, Milford Haven, Pembroke in 2019, and Fishguard in 2018. Post-spring, the nearest Barclays branches for Pembrokeshire residents will be located in Carmarthen and Cardiff, further distancing banking services from the local populace.

Local reaction has been poignant, with County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, Cllr Tom Tudor, labelling the closure a “sad day” for the community. Cllr Tudor expressed his intent to confront bank executives directly, seeking an audience to discuss the ramifications of their decision and to explore possible alternatives to maintain banking services within the county.

This string of closures by Barclays has ignited concerns over the diminishing accessibility of traditional banking services, especially for those less inclined towards digital transactions, and underscores the broader trend of digital transformation within the banking sector.

 

Business

Crymych golf simulator, play space and wellness centre call

Published

on

A CALL for approval for the use of Crymych industrial units as a golf simulator, child’s play space and a wellness centre offering a sauna, ice baths, and oxygen therapy has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Evans, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a partly retrospective permission for the erection of commercial building containing three individual business units, at a former vacant storage yard at Parc Gwynfryn, Crymych.

A supporting statement says: “The building provides three sperate business spaces, two of the units are occupied, one as a golf simulator (7B 2) a second is occupied by a child’s role play and play space (7B 4) and the central unit (7B 3) is currently unoccupied, proposed to be let as a wellness centre.”

The site owners and applicants, Mr and Mrs Evans, are also the operators of the golf simulator enterprise and the original developers of the industrial estate, the statement says.

“The aim of the application is to regularise the existing building and existing and proposed uses. The building was substantially complete May 2025 and first occupied June 2025. Unit 7B2 is occupied by a golf simulator whereby users book slots online and self-serve.

“Unit 7B3 is currently unoccupied but would be occupied by wellness centre once planning permission is granted, consisting of sauna, ice baths, cryotherapy room, oxygen therapy etc. Unit 7B4 is occupied by a new enterprise which offers indoor roleplay space for children, Byd Bach.”

It adds: “In terms of the golf simulator, this is owner managed and the sites proximity to their main office within the site makes managing and attending the unit convenient and enables multiple businesses to be managed by the same members of staff.

“In terms of Byd Bach, this is operated by a local couple who also manage other premises in Crymych, amongst other employment. The site’s proximity to Crymych is therefore important and these arrangements are only successful given that the site is well-related to Crymych.

“The offering would not disrupt existing comparable provision, the closest facility of this kind being in St Clears, well beyond the catchment of this facility.

“The third unit is not yet occupied but would be operated by a local spinal injury sufferer, and athlete, who would benefit from the facilities themselves and offer therapy for others.”

Citing a recently-approved change on use of a building on the industrial site itself to a Hair and Beauty Salon, it said it was considered the development would not have a significant detrimental effect on the overall supply of business units or land in Pembrokeshire or Crymych.

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Little Haven garden shed holiday let appeal dismissed

Published

on

AN APPEAL against a national park refusal of a scheme to convert a garden shed to a holiday let at a Pembrokeshire seaside village with the highest rates of second homes and holiday lets in the county has been dismissed.

Last April, in an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Shabnam Banihashem of 19a Wesley Road, Little Haven sought permission to convert a rear garden shed, already replace with a summerhouse, to holiday let accommodation.

Local community council The Havens had objected to the scheme, saying it has concerns over parking and highway access arrangements, and concerns about impact on Highway traffic safety-related matters.

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The Authority has concerns in connection with the proposal due to the impact upon the residential amenity of the host dwelling, and its immediate neighbours, the impact upon the character of the Little Haven Conservation Area due to the potential for additional traffic, and due to the proposed summerhouse being unsuitable in terms of size for the use of holiday letting.”

The application was refused on grounds including “introducing a significantly greater level of noise and disturbance than the current situation, to the detriment of the residential amenity of neighbouring properties,” and impact on the conservation area.

Since that refusal, the applicant appealed the decision with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW); a site visit by the inspector taking place on January 28 of this year.

The main areas covered in the appeal were the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and future occupiers of the proposal, with regard to noise and privacy, and the character of the Little Haven Conservation Area, the inspector’s report said.

In dismissing the appeal, she said: “I have found the proposal would be acceptable with regard to its effect on the Conservation Area.

“However, this is outweighed by the harm that would be caused to the living conditions of the occupiers of the host dwelling, as well as occupiers of the proposal, with regard to privacy.”

A previous national park report, based on the second homes council tax premium payable to Pembrokeshire County Council, has said nearly two-thirds of properties in Little Haven are either second homes or holiday lets.

At the time of the 2023 report, the highest rates of seconds homes or holiday lets in the national park were: Nolton Haven 60 per cent, and Little Haven 62.96 per cent.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Templeton Pembrokeshire fuel business home for security call

Published

on

A CALL for a home to provide security for a well-established Pembrokeshire fuel distribution business and a proposed museum, which has hopes of developing further business units, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dan Thomas, of KP Thomas & Son, through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd, seeks permission for the erection of dwelling for management of on-site enterprises and associated works at The Fuel Depot, Templeton.

A supporting statement says family-run K P Thomas and Son, situated on a site close to a former airfield and former nuclear bunker, has been operating for 39 years and has “grown into a major local employer, currently providing work for 32 staff,” supplying “over 45,000 customers annually and distributes 30 million litres of fuel, 8,000 tonnes of LPG gas and 500 tonnes of coal every year,” and was “formally designated as an essential key service provider during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

A statement from Dan Thomas said he had moved some 15 minutes away to Narberth when he became a homeowner some five years ago, but “it quickly became clear that this arrangement was not workable due to the urgent and unpredictable nature of our operations”.

He said any detailed several incidents on-site which required an immediate on-site response, “the travel time from Narberth frequently caused delays, operational disruptions, and increased environmental risks”.

He said even living in nearby Templeton could cause difficulties for any emergency call-outs, which often occur in the early hours; the 24-7 business handling fuel distribution and transport logistics throughout Pembrokeshire and beyond, with his own working hours often running from 5am to as late as 8pm.

“Consequently, I had no choice but to relocate to the family home adjacent to the depot to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the business. This remains a temporary measure, and a permanent on-site dwelling is therefore essential to ensure long-term operational efficiency, safety, and compliance.”

He added: “As part of our fuel distribution operations, we regularly receive bulk fuel deliveries overnight. In the event of a spill, leak, or fault, an immediate response is vital to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public safety. Currently, if such an incident were to occur, I would need to travel from my home to the site before taking any action.”

As well as the existing facilities, it is hoped to construct several leasable commercial units on the site, with prospective tenants wanting permanent on-site security and immediate site supervision, Mr Thomas said.

His statement also says his grandfather “had begun developing a museum as a business but unfortunately passed away before its completion,” adding: “The value of the museum content alone, excluding the building, which includes a kitchen and café facility, was appraised at just over £12.5 million.”

He finished: “The proposed on-site dwelling is not a matter of convenience but one of operational necessity, safety, and environmental protection.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

 

Continue Reading

Crime3 hours ago

Chinese intelligence probe reaches Dyfed-Powys Police area

Counter-terror officers arrest man in Powys as part of national security investigation THREE men have been arrested in Wales and...

Crime4 hours ago

Man sentenced after punching convicted paedophile in Haverfordwest pub

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced after punching a convicted paedophile inside a town centre pub. Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard...

Health19 hours ago

Davies and Kurtz attack ‘fantasy hospital’ pledge for west Wales

Senedd Members demand immediate investment in Withybush and Bronglais as election campaign intensifies SENEDD Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have launched a fresh...

Health1 day ago

Hywel Dda warns of ‘significant pressure’ as A&E departments remain packed

Patients urged to use NHS 111 as Withybush, Glangwili and Bronglais face continued strain HYWEL DDA University Health Board has...

News2 days ago

War stops Qatar gas: Milford Haven LNG supplies disrupted

UK energy security concerns grow after shutdown at major export facilities ENERGY bills in the UK could rise sharply after...

Community2 days ago

Martyn Butler dies aged 71 months after Haverfordwest visit

Co-founder of Terrence Higgins Trust attended local plaque unveiling honouring friend Terry Higgins A LEADING figure in the UK’s response...

Crime2 days ago

Nine deny Class A drugs conspiracy as case set for Crown Court trial

Eight remanded in custody as four-week trial fixed for May 18 NINE people have denied conspiring to supply Class A...

Community2 days ago

No asylum seekers housed in west Wales hotels, latest Home Office figures show

WEST Wales currently has no asylum seekers being housed in hotels, according to the latest figures published by the Home...

Community5 days ago

St David’s Day parade brings colour and celebration to Haverfordwest

HAVERFORDWEST town centre was a hive of activity today (Friday, Feb 27) as hundreds of children from schools across Pembrokeshire...

News6 days ago

Hoax 999 call sparks massive lifeboat and helicopter rescue — man arrested

Emergency services diverted from real incidents after false report off south Wales coast A MAJOR sea rescue operation involving three...

Popular This Week