A call to allow spa facilities for former holiday apartments in Pembroke to be used by the general public has been given the thumbs-up

Northgate Ltd, represented by agent Edgeplan Limited, applied to Pembrokeshire County Council to open the spa treatment centre at 6-10 Main Street to the public.

Pembroke Town Council backed the application.

The site housed the town’s Co-op supermarket before being converted into holiday lets back in 2020.

A supporting statement said permission was granted in 2024 to convert the holiday lets into flats, and that work has since been carried out.

It said, as part of the previous holiday lets use, the building had a spa and other facilities which “are no longer being used by the current occupiers of the residential flats”. The proposal is to retain these facilities in their current condition, as a separate spa/treatment centre open to the public.

The statement said the holiday apartments had fewer occupants than expected after the 2020 conversion, making the use “unviable to retain” and prompting their conversion into homes.

It said the communal facilities remained in place but had not been used because their maintenance, servicing and staffing costs were unattractive to flat occupiers.

It added: “The current applicant has arranged to lease the suite independently of the apartments and make it available to visiting customers throughout the day.

“In addition to the spa facilities (sauna, hot tub, cold-plunge pool and salon) it is proposed to offer a treatment facility including massage, aromatherapy, relaxation, mani/pedicures, body scrubs and wraps etc. In addition, the lounge/dining room [of the previous holiday use] will offer a space for rest and relaxation as well as healthy snacks, meals and drinks which will be prepared in the adjoining kitchen/pantry throughout the day.”

The statement said: “The spa facilities in the building already exist and no internal or external alterations are required.

“In the absence of use by visiting guests to the former holiday apartment complex, the current proposal seeks to utilise the facility for visiting members of the public. The intention is to provide a relaxing atmosphere for users throughout the day.”

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Planning officers approved the application under delegated powers, subject to conditions.