A sandwich shop owner who successfully challenged a National Park refusal of plans for a takeaway food kiosk at Tenby’s picturesque harbour, has spoken of her excitement at now being able to move forward.

At the March 2025 development management committee, Ruby Goodrick was refused permission from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store located atTenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, to open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said she had secured a five-year lease from Pembrokeshire County Council to use the site.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as members of Tenby Town Council objected to the proposals; and was recommended for approval, despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

Since then, Ruby lodged a successful appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), the Inspector’s report, granting permission, focussing on “whether the development would be an appropriate use within this location, the impact on the character and appearance of the area, and whether it would affect Tenby Conservation Area”.

It said that, although the site was just outside the town centre - “I consider that a small scale cold food takeaway outlet in this location would not undermine the town centre of Tenby or its retail function and would not have any impact on its future viability and vitality,” adding: “To the contrary, the development would complement the role of the town centre by contributing to having a mix of uses within this edge of centre location, which is encouraged within Future Wales.”

Following her successful appeal, Ruby, who plans to name the new outlet ‘Truly’s@The Harbour’ said: “It’s been a long journey over the past three years, with plenty of ups and downs, so I’m really pleased and relieved that the appeal was successful in the end.

“As someone who is local to Tenby, it means so much to me to have reopened my mum’s old sandwich shop, Trulys Sandwich Shop, on South Parade seven months ago. To now have the opportunity to open another shop at Tenby Harbour is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support and encouragement along the way — it’s meant a lot to me and my family.

“I’m really excited to move forward with the new takeaway at Tenby Harbour and look forward to serving both locals and visitors and bringing something new to the harbour.”

Rugby’s mum, Nicola Goddard started the business in 2001 on the South Parade, originally named Truly Scrumptious, instantly becoming popular with locals and businesses who enjoyed the fine fare of baguettes, sandwiches and cakes.

The business was sold in 2014, but earlier this year the opportunity arose for Ruby to take over the lease and to bring Trulys back to Tenby; and amazingly the former premises opposite the historic town walls, had become vacant, so they literally went back to base.