FRIDAY, May 1 saw the Mayor’s Grand Opening of the extended Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock, a joyful occasion.

Smiles all round at the Grand Opening of the newly extended Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock
Smiles all round at the Grand Opening of the newly extended Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock (Photo: Observer)

Speaking to a crowd of well-wishers, staff and volunteers, Julia Brady, the Hospice at Home charity’s Head of Retail, said:

“It’s been a long time in the making; we’ve been very patient and it’s all been because of the fabulous support that Kelly and her volunteer team have given to Paul Sartori here.

Well-wishers, staff and volunteers gathered for the official opening of the Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock
Well-wishers, staff and volunteers gathered for the official opening. (Photo: Observer)

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do every day, allowing us to have the shop open and support Paul Sartori,” she added.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home stocks a wide range of items in its newly expanded Pembroke Dock store. Mayor Michele Wiggins sharing a joke at the Grand Opening ceremony
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home stocks a wide range of items in its newly expanded Pembroke Dock store. (Photo: Observer)

“It costs Paul Sartori about £3,600 a day to deliver clinical care – the free care that we provide in Pembrokeshire and it’s shops like this that help provide that care so thank you to all those customers as well who actually come in and buy stuff with us.

Julia continued: “I’m very delighted to have Michele here who is the Mayor of Pembroke Dock who is going to (hopefully, with the scissors) officially open this long-awaited extension.”

Paul Sartori Foundation’s Head of Retail Julia Brady hands the scissors to Pembroke Dock Mayor Michele Wiggins
Paul Sartori Foundation’s Head of Retail Julia Brady hands the scissors to Pembroke Dock Mayor Michele Wiggins (Photo: Observer)

Before she handed over to Cllr Michele Wiggins, Julia added her thanks to Gill from Tesco “who has been a huge support in bringing so many things for raffle prizes and coming along and showing what community spirit is all about.”

Raffle prizes at the Grand Opening of the bigger, better Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock
Raffle prizes at the Grand Opening of the bigger, better Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock (Photo: Observer)

Gill had also provided the sweets that were being handed out to visitors as they arrived in the shop.

Mayor Michele followed up with these words:

“Good morning, bore da. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today to our grand opening. Thank you all for coming to the opening of the new extended Paul Sartori Store. Every purchase helps Paul Sartori.

As this point she mentioned the special Opening Day 20 per cent discount and encouraged support for the raffle.

“Thank you for all your hard work for making this happen today.”

Pembroke Dock Mayor Cllr Michele Wiggins cutting the ribbon on the new extension Paul Sartori Store
Pembroke Dock Mayor Cllr Michele Wiggins cutting the ribbon on the new extension (Photo: Observer)

The Mayor then cut the ribbon, and guests were invited to “come on through” to view the new extension. They wasted no time in accepting the invitation.

The new ‘wing’ holds an extensive range of high quality furniture, imaginatively arranged to show its potential in the home. There is also a selection of mobility equipment.

You could imagine living here: Paul Sartori’s bigger store in Pembroke Dock has been very tastefully arranged.
You could imagine living here: Paul Sartori’s bigger store in Pembroke Dock has been very tastefully arranged. (Photo: Observer)

A further effect of extending the store is the creation of a little extra ‘breathing space’ in the original part of the shop, which houses everything from fridges and televisions to clothes and bags, as well as china and glass, crafting supplies, books and CDs.

White Goods at the Sartori Store, Pembroke Dock
White Goods at the Sartori Store, Pembroke Dock (Photo: Observer)

Paul Sartori Chairman Phil Thompson MBE attended the event. He told the Tenby Observer that the Pembroke Dock store was performing particularly among the charity’s outlets across Pembrokeshire, thanks to Kelly and her staff, so the Foundation was able to take on the full building (following the closure of neighbouring business Bierspool Cycles).

Pembroke Dock Sartori Store Manager Kelly (centre)
Pembroke Dock Sartori Store Manager Kelly (centre) (Photo: Observer)

Mr Thompson noted that one particular advantage of the extension was that signage could be placed on the side of the building, facing Tesco car park, making it much more visible from the road.

Paul Sartori Chair Phil Thompson pointed out the advantage of having a sign visible from Pembroke Dock’s London Road
Paul Sartori Chair Phil Thompson pointed out the advantage of having a sign visible from Pembroke Dock’s London Road (Photo: Observer)
Pembroke Dock’s Sartori Store is expanding in more ways than one, as plans for Sunday opening were mentioned at the celebrations on May 1.
Pembroke Dock’s Sartori Store is expanding in more ways than one, as plans for Sunday opening were mentioned at the celebrations on May 1. (Photo: Observer)