A north Pembrokeshire community resource is celebrating a successful two years, after being saved from closure in early 2013.

In January 2013 Goodwick’s Ocean Lab was earmarked for closure as part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s cost cutting measures.

Eleventh hour negotiations between the council, marina developers Conygar, Sea Trust and the cafe owner meant that the facility was retained, but without a tourist information centre (TIC).

The building is the home of cetacean spotting charity, Sea Trust. and also houses a soft play area, cafe and marine exhibition.

Although the TIC is now closed, local information is available and staff do their best to help visitors and locals.

“For the last two years we, along with Jude in the café, have worked hard to build up this community asset with the council’s cooperation and Conygar’s support,” said Sea Trust founder Cliff Benson.

“With the help of Stena Line and working with Fishguard Rotary Club we hosted the really popular Fish Week event in June.

“We also provide facilities for the hugely successful Ocean Lava Welsh Triathlon, which will be staged here for the third time in August with thousands of competitors and their friends, family and spectators descending on Goodwick for the weekend.”

Cliff added that the soft play area, along with the fact that the venue is wheelchair friendly with excellent parking and open every day, made it a community hub; a venue for old and young alike.

“We are keeping the seafront vibrant and serving our community,” he said. “Imagine what our seafront would have been like if the Ocean Lab had closed; derelict and subject to vandalism.”

“Perhaps this is a great example of a local authority, big business and local people working together that could work elsewhere to keep important community resources up and running.”