Business

Safety concerns raised over proposed new Milford Haven Lidl store

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2024

THE new Lidl supermarket planned for Milford Haven has sparked safety concerns from a neighbouring business owner, as the application for its construction is set to go before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee next week.

The new store is proposed to be built where the current car park is, with the building coming right next to the road.

Ian Ritchie, owner of the Victoria Filling Station, which sits adjacent to the proposed site on Great North Road, has been raising alarms about the potential dangers posed by the store’s design and access arrangements.

Despite repeated attempts to engage with Lidl’s representatives and the council, Ritchie claims his concerns have been largely ignored, with planners seemingly prioritising retail space over road and pedestrian safety.

“The safety of customers and pedestrians has become secondary for more retail space and 11 more parking spaces,” Ritchie stated. He warns that the current plans for the store, which include demolishing the existing Lidl and adjoining properties, will block his site and create hazardous conditions for both his customers and passing traffic.

The Victoria Filling Station, a business with nearly 100 years of service to the community, sees high traffic volumes, including regular deliveries from large fuel trucks. Ritchie points out that the filling station’s boundary area includes a vapour recovery system and fuel tanks holding over 50,000 litres. He argues that the proposed layout of the new Lidl could impede the safe flow of traffic in and out of his site, potentially resulting in accidents and putting customers at risk.

Ritchie has been advocating for a redesign that would ensure safe access for both his customers and those visiting the new Lidl store. However, he says his attempts to open a dialogue have been fruitless. “Listening to the conversation today, I do not believe our site has been considered in any way,” Ritchie remarked in a recent communication, emphasising the lack of engagement from planners on what he views as serious public safety and environmental concerns.

Lidl’s proposed new store is set to replace its current premises on Great North Road, along with adjoining properties, including the Enterprise Rent-a-Car unit. According to a statement by planning agents CarneySweeney, the new store aims to address the outdated design and operational inefficiencies of the current supermarket while better serving local customer demand. The development promises up to 40 new jobs and will expand the car park to 93 spaces, adding EV charging points and spaces for parents and children.

Despite the potential benefits, Ritchie believes these improvements come at the expense of safety. His concerns include the impact on visibility for vehicles, the increased risk for fuel trucks accessing the filling station, and the overall traffic flow on this busy trunk road. The filling station, which pumps around 4 million litres of fuel annually, plays a crucial role in the community by providing competitively priced fuel.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning officer has recommended the application for conditional approval at its 8 October meeting. While the project has gained support from Milford Haven Town Council, two public objections have been lodged, citing concerns over the store’s design, size, and vehicle access arrangements. Following feedback, the applicants have made some changes, such as removing proposed bollards that would have obstructed access to a disabled parking bay. However, Ritchie’s larger concerns about road safety and access remain unresolved.

The officer’s report notes that the site includes several properties that have been unoccupied for some time, as well as a former petrol station with underground storage tanks that are set to be removed. While Lidl’s statement emphasises their commitment to reducing environmental impact during construction, Ritchie worries that his filling station’s safety and operational viability are at stake.

As the planning committee prepares to make its decision, Ritchie continues to call for a balanced approach that prioritises safety for existing businesses and the community. The outcome of this meeting will determine whether his concerns will be addressed or if the development will proceed as planned, potentially setting a precedent for how new retail developments are handled in proximity to established businesses.

Business

Jewellery roadshow in Lamphey today with cash offers for valuables

Published

23 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TRAVELLING jewellery and antiques roadshow is in Pembrokeshire today (Tuesday, Mar 17), offering free valuations and on-the-spot cash offers for a wide range of items.

The event is being held at the Best Western Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa and is open until 6:00pm this evening.

Organisers say they are looking to buy “all items of interest”, including gold, silver, rings, watches, coins, military memorabilia and diamond jewellery. Broken jewellery is also accepted, along with items in any condition.

The promotional material states there are no fees, no commissions and no obligation to sell, with free appraisals available to anyone who brings items along.

They are also advertising interest in vintage items such as old watches, scientific instruments, medal groups and even classic cars and motorbikes.

A follow-up event will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, Mar 18) at Hotel Mariners in Haverfordwest, running from 10:00am until 9:00pm, with late appointments available.

A third and final stop is scheduled for Thursday (Mar 19) at Wolfscastle Country Hotel, open from 10:00am until 6:00pm.

Organisers can be contacted on 07544 074 549, and also invite people to send photos via WhatsApp for a preliminary valuation.

Top prices paid: The jewellery and antiques roadshow is in Lamphey today before moving on to Haverfordwest and Wolfscastle (Pic: supplied).

Business

Welsh businesses secure £436m in export sales with government support

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH businesses have secured £436 million in new export sales over the past five years with support from the Welsh Government, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans said at the Explore Export Wales conference in Llandudno on Tuesday (Mar 18).

Exports account for more than a third of Wales’ GDP and remain central to the Welsh Government’s ambition to grow the economy and create new jobs.

Since the launch of the Export Action Plan in 2020, nearly 1,500 Welsh businesses have been supported to export for the first time or expand into new international markets. During that time the Welsh Government has organised 89 trade missions, taking 844 business representatives to markets around the world.

International Trade Advisors have also held around 6,000 face-to-face meetings with businesses and delivered more than 430 export market research projects. Over 600 overseas business development visits have been supported, including trips to Kenya, Vietnam, Argentina and South Korea.

The Export Cluster programme now provides peer-to-peer support across six priority sectors and has attracted more than 350 members. Meanwhile the New Exporter Programme has supported 68 businesses taking their first steps into international markets, with a sixth intake now open.

One company benefiting from the programme is Reacta Healthcare, a life sciences business based in north Wales. The firm develops specialist allergy diagnostic products used in clinical trials around the world.

Exports now account for 100 per cent of Reacta’s business. Over the past year the company has expanded its workforce from fifty to eighty employees and secured new clients in Europe and the United States.

The business is now preparing to supply these contracts over the next three years, representing significant growth in both volume and revenue. Reacta is also expanding its Deeside site by 50 per cent with a new facility next to its existing premises.

Belinda Mortell, Head of Commercial at Reacta, said the company’s expansion reflected growing global demand.

She said: “We have recently secured our largest customer contract to date, marking a significant milestone for the business. The growth we’ve seen over the past year, from expanding our team to opening a new facility, is a direct result of increasing international demand.

“The support we’ve received from the Welsh Government has been invaluable and has helped us enter new markets with confidence as we strengthen our international presence.”

Last week the Welsh Government also launched its trade missions programme for 2026-27, aimed at helping businesses showcase their products and services overseas.

The programme will focus on sectors including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, creative industries and technology. Trade missions are planned across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East as Wales seeks to boost exports, investment and economic growth.

Rebecca Evans said: “Exporting makes a real difference to businesses across Wales, driving economic growth and creating jobs.

“That is why we are investing £3.5 million each year to support Welsh businesses on their export journeys.”

Business

Haverfordwest Halifax bank nail bar scheme refused

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to convert a Pembrokeshire town centre former bank to a nail bar has been refused by county planners.

Huw Tuyen Nguyen, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of the former Halifax bank at Grade-II-listed 10 Victoria Place, in Haverfordwest’s conservation area, to a nail bar, along with a related listed building consent.

Halifax closed its Haverfordwest branch back in 2024, leaving it with no more branches in the county.

A supporting statement accompanying the nail bar application at the three-storey building said: “The previous use of the building, a bank operated by the Halifax, ceased a few years ago and remains vacant making no contribution to the vitality or viability of the town centre.

“This application seeks to put the ground floor to an alternative commercial/retail use and which together with some internal and external alterations, also seeks to convert the upper two floors into a single high-quality flat. The upper floors have largely been under-utilised in the past. As such, the proposal would make a positive contribution to the town centre.”

It went on to say of the change of use to a nail bar: “This part of the application would allow the relocation and expansion of a professional service facility to serve Haverfordwest and the surrounding areas. This forms the basis of aspirations to grow the business, both in the immediate short term, and in the future as the business continues to grow.

“The applicant has explained that the current business is a nail salon which has been trading for some 15 years but under a different management. The applicant has had the business since January 2022.

“The business hours would be 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday but closed on Sundays and which would employ 2/3 people.”

The application was refused on the grounds “the proposed external alterations, by virtue of the chosen materials, finish and detailing, represent poor design that fails to respect the historic character of the listed building and the wider terrace”.

The refusal went on to say: “The works do not respond appropriately to the building’s significance and would result in a harmful intervention that undermines its special architectural and historic interest.

“Furthermore, the proposal fails to satisfy the statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Haverfordwest Conservation Area, and to pay special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building and its features of architectural and historic interest.”