Entertainment

Milford Haven industrial estate live events venue plans backed by councillors

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CHANGE of use for a Milford Haven business unit to a live events venue has been approved, planners hearing the applicant had “jumped the gun” by previously operating it without permission. However the management have always said, and the council had confirmed, they did not need planning permission to run under a temporary events notice.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Steve Bartrum sought retrospective permission for a change of use for Units 4 and 6, Maritime House, Thornton Industrial Estate from a business unit to weekend leisure hall use, along with dedicated parking, ecological and noise mitigation enhancements.

A report for planners stated: “Whilst the agent has indicated a D2 [leisure hall] use the venue will host live bands, DJs, Bingo, boxing matches, live screenings for live sporting events, such as boxing and rugby and dance music events, the nature of some of the events are not considered to fall within a D2 Use Class and would be Sui generis (no specified class).”

It said the application had been amended since its initial submission for up to 25 events per year operating as late as midnight, with five special cases to 2am, along with exceptions around the Christmas/New Year period.

The report said the council’s planning enforcement team has an open investigation owing to the unauthorised material change in use of the premises; an enforcement notice was served on April 25 on the grounds that it was considered the unregulated use of the building as an events venue has a significant detrimental impact on local amenity in terms of noise and disturbance.

A third-party representation was received in objection to the application, raising concern at the negative impact that noise nuisance has had, and will have, upon the lives of their family who neighbouring residents.

Following liaison with the council’s Pollution Control Team, the applicant and their acoustic consultant have agreed structural noise mitigations “which can be implemented and a robust management plan for the control of patrons in and around the premises during events to ensure that noise is controlled so as not to adversely impact upon the local amenity,” the report said.

Speaking at the July meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harris said: “When we look at our business parks, I think their uses have changed over the years; we have a case of a building built after the Second World War looking a bit tired, after all these years.”

He added: “My client, quite a successful builder, saw there was a market for this sort of leisure use; he did jump the gun, he did start operating without planning, he’s learned from that exercise.”

Mr Vaughan-Harris, who cited a letter of support for the amended plans from local county councillor Alan Dennison, said the applicant was “going to reuse an empty building and create some jobs,” adding a related licensing application was currently ongoing.

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, with fellow supporter Cllr Mark Carter saying: “No-one wants to see empty buildings in any town; I think we’re having to think outside the box; it’s possibly a good use for this building, in my mind it could be alright.”

The conditional approval was backed by the committee, members hearing the licensing application was likely to be heard in August.

Entertainment

Community film season launches at Torch Theatre with audience-picked programme

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Grant from Ffilm Cymru Wales helps bring affordable independent cinema to Pembrokeshire

A SEASON of independent films chosen by local audiences is coming to Milford Haven this spring, as the Torch Theatre hosts a special programme designed to celebrate bold storytelling and community cinema.

Running from February through to mid-April, the Community Choices season has been made possible thanks to Wales-wide grant funding from Ffilm Cymru Wales. The scheme supports independent exhibitors to bring diverse and inspiring films to screens across the country.

At the Torch, audiences were invited to take part in programming workshops to help select the titles themselves. The final line-up reflects a mix of Welsh-language work, environmentally themed films and stories that break down social and economic barriers, ensuring something for all tastes.

Chelsey Gillard, the theatre’s Artistic Director, said: “We asked you, the people of Pembrokeshire, what films you wanted to see at the Torch – and we listened. There’s a terrific variety in this season, from family favourites to powerful dramas. We’re very grateful to Ffilm Cymru Wales for the funding that allows us to bring these wonderful films to the big screen, and we look forward to giving everyone a warm Torch welcome.”

The programme opens with Mr Burton on Sunday, February 8 at 4:15pm, followed by Flow on Tuesday, February 17 at 4:45pm. Fantastic Mr Fox screens on February 19 at 4:45pm, with Moonlight closing the month on Friday, February 20 at 6:15pm.

March’s line-up includes Born Free on March 4 at 2:15pm, Earth on March 12 at 11:00am, Sinners on March 15 at 7:00pm, Booksmart on March 22 at 2:00pm, and Gwledd (The Feast) on March 27 at 8:00pm.

The season continues into April with I Swear on April 2 at 2:00pm, One Battle After Another on April 5 at 4:00pm, and This is Spinal Tap on April 12 at 4:00pm, bringing the Community Choices series to a close.

All tickets are priced at £4 and include a free tea or coffee, helping to keep the screenings affordable and accessible for everyone.

For tickets and full details, visit the Torch Theatre website or call the box office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

One Night in Dublin returns to the Torch with a brand-new show

Published

3 days ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN is heading back to the stage at the Torch Theatre with a lively new production fronted by renowned Irish singer Danny Muldoon.

Tickets are already selling fast for the feel-good celebration of Irish music, which promises two hours of songs, stories and plenty of craic.

Backed by an award-winning five-piece band, Muldoon leads audiences through a packed set of sing-along favourites including Galway Girl, Tell Me Ma, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar, The Wild Rover and The Galway Shawl, along with many more well-loved classics.

The show recreates the atmosphere of a bustling Dublin pub, complete with fiddle, whistle, guitars, banjo, bodhrán, accordion and driving drums, transporting the audience straight into “Murphy’s Tavern” for an unforgettable night of live entertainment.

Fans can also expect hits from Irish legends including The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, The Dubliners, The Fureys, Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys.

One Night in Dublin comes to the Torch Theatre on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £26.50. Visit the theatre website or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267 to book.

Entertainment

New appeal in search for missing Manic Street Preachers musician

Published

6 days ago

January 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family and charity issue fresh appeal for information about guitarist 31 years on

THIRTY-ONE years after the disappearance of Richey Edwards, a new public appeal has been issued urging anyone with information to come forward.

Edwards, guitarist and lyricist with Manic Street Preachers, vanished on January 31, 1995, in a case that has become one of the most enduring mysteries in British music history.

***Missing for over 30 years: Richey Edwards***

The then 27-year-old was last seen at the Embassy Hotel Bayswater in west London, where he had been staying ahead of a promotional trip to the United States. He checked out of room 561 but never reached his destination.

Despite numerous reported sightings over the years, none have ever been confirmed. Edwards was officially declared presumed dead in 2008, though his family continue to mark the anniversary of his disappearance and keep hope alive that answers may still emerge.

Anniversary appeal

The charity Missing People has released a statement in collaboration with Edwards’ sister Rachel, asking the public to remember the case.

In a social media post, the organisation said: “It is 31 years since Richard went missing, please keep his family in your thoughts.”

They also repeated key identifying details from the time he vanished. Edwards was described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, slim, with brown eyes and a shaved head. He had several distinctive tattoos, including a rose with the words ‘Useless Generation’, the phrase ‘I’ll surf this beach’, and a scar on his lower left arm where he had scratched the words ‘4 REAL’.

Unanswered questions

His car was later found near the Severn Bridge services, close to the Welsh border, prompting widespread searches but yielding no firm clues about what happened next.

At the time of his disappearance, the band were on the brink of international success. Edwards’ intense, literate songwriting and striking image had already made him a defining figure in Welsh rock music. More than three decades later, fans still hold vigils, create murals and share tributes across Wales and beyond.

Police say the case remains open.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Service on 101 or use their online reporting service, quoting reference CONNECT REF 01/764429/24. Missing People also operates a free, confidential helpline on 116 000.