TRADERS are keen for the public to know it is ‘business as usual’ at Haverfordwest’s Riverside Market.

Shops in the Market are trading as normal for the foreseeable future, although Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) Cabinet has agreed a plan to re-invent the Market building as a "21st century" county library, gallery and tourist information service.

In the meantime, the County Council has pledged to support traders by helping them find suitable alternative premises. The parties are currently engaging in discussions about relocation possibilities.

The library scheme is part of an emerging ‘Master Plan’ for Haverfordwest, and it has been suggested the development could provide a “catalyst” for other regeneration projects in Pembrokeshire’s county town.

Other buildings initially considered for the development included the Shire Hall on High Street and the former Ocky White’s store on Bridge Street.

Local County Councillor Thomas Tudor said: “The traders are keen to emphasise that the Market is open and operating normally while the discussions continue.”

Cllr Tudor recently accompanied the businesspeople to a meeting with PCC chief executive Ian Westley.

He arranged the meeting to update everyone on the latest position and alleviate some of the traders’ concerns.

“The meeting was successful and it was a good opportunity for the traders to express their views,” said Cllr Tudor.

One of the former Riverside Market businesses has already re-located to Bridge Street. The Brewers Army Surplus store made the move after being based at the Market for 10 years.

Other traders are not quite so keen to up-sticks. Sandra Davies and her husband, Reggie, have run their family concern ‘Time Is’ from the Market for 32 years, and would prefer to remain there. Speaking to the Western Telegraph earlier this year, Sandra said the Council’s plan “doesn’t make sense” and the uncertainty surrounding the Market’s future had negatively affected her business.