PEMBROKE Dock town councillor Claire Francis-Boswell, is asking residents what they would suggest if they were able to contribute to a plan for the town centre.

The councillor starts the ball rolling: “Review yellow lines? Increase parking? Reduce parking? Sort out eyesore empty shops? Review business rates?

Her ideas keep flowing: “Open a youth hub? Loyalty schemes? Link with wellbeing and charity groups? Business owners group? Niche businesses? Gain large multiple names support more? Pop up shops ? Music or Art Corner?

Claire continues: “Every town centre is a memory of what it was decades ago.”

She recognises that part of the blame lies with the public as consumers, driving for more, faster, cheaper, one stop and under one roof.

“So what is wanted and more importantly, how do we get it?” asks the councillor, adding that “Regeneration and town teams need people to do and not just talk.

“Our voices should heard via town and county councillors and we have Senedd members too: Claire Archibald, Paul Davies, Kerry Ferguson, Elin Jones and Paul Marr.

“The Town Council meets on the first Thursday of each month, an excellent opportunity to see, hear and partake. Your county ward councillors are also available and can share what is happening and why, in addition to listening and being our voice.”

Among the responses already coming in are the suggestion of having a meeting with all the shop owners - especially the empty ones.

County Councillor Jamie Street has raised the condition of two prominent properties in Pembroke Dock town centre with Pembrokeshire County Council, asking officers to consider what enforcement powers are available.
County Councillor Jamie Street has raised the condition of two prominent properties in Pembroke Dock town centre with Pembrokeshire County Council, asking officers to consider what enforcement powers are available. (Observer pic)

One business owner agrees: “It would be nice to get all us business owners of the town in to a room.”

“We need our town centre to look good again and attract visitors,” said one resident, who added: “We have two brilliant museums here who are doing their very best to help.”

Another suggestion was using grants to encourage the owners of empty shops to maintain the fronts - and engaging a local volunteer artist to paint scenes on the windows that make it look like there are people inside.

Another respondent wondered whether the traditional ‘more shops’ approach is the answer when online shopping has changed everything. “We already have some great examples of businesses that give people a reason to come into town, like Stormborn Games.

“I’d love to see an attractive, well-run youth/social hub for teenagers and young adults… I also think we could make better use of empty premises with ‘meanwhile” spaces — local artists and makers, pop-ups, exhibitions, community projects, workshops and seasonal markets. Perhaps even a ‘Made in Pembrokeshire’ shop where local producers could sell without having to take on a whole shop themselves.”

Sympathetic conversion: Chloe’s adds class to the Pembroke Dock’s former Barclay’s branch, which had been closed since February 2015.
Sympathetic conversion: Classy beauty salon Chloe’s makes use of the town’s former Barclay’s branch, which had been closed since February 2015. (Observer pic)

It’s not that Pembroke Dock is universally run down - with the sympathetic and conversion of an old bank building into a classy beauty salon and the recent opening of a smart solicitor’s office as just two examples of businesses showing the way.

Meanwhile, the town’s stunning floral displays have added colour throughout a dry summer and continue to brighten duller days, while community efforts are helping to keep paths clear and clean.

Properties in Meyrick Street are slowly being refurbished, smartening up Pembroke Dock.
Properties in Meyrick Street are slowly being refurbished, smartening up Pembroke Dock. (Observer pic)