£250,000 plan to turn empty Haverfordwest showroom into vets

Pete Howe, of All Pets Care Ltd, has applied to Pembrokeshire County Council to turn the Arcade (Llandysul) shop and showroom on Old Fishguard Road, Prendergast, into a veterinary practice.

The site has been empty since 2022, when it was last used as a retail showroom.

The application says the site is accessed from Old Fishguard Road (B4329) via a shared entrance with the adjoining builders' merchant, under a right of way set out in the title transfer, and has seven off-street parking spaces.

The plans would leave the access and parking area unchanged, apart from marking one accessible bay and adding cycle stands, while keeping the shared access road clear.

Detailing the scheme, it says: “The proposal is for the change of use of the building from Use Class A1 (retail showroom) to Use Class D1 (veterinary practice) serving domestic companion animals.

"The practice would occupy all 301 square metres of existing floor space, with reception and waiting areas, three consulting rooms, treatment facilities, a theatre, laboratory, office and day-use kennels and cattery on the ground floor. The first floor would provide staff facilities and storage, with no external alterations planned."

The practice would employ three full-time and six part-time staff and open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. Out-of-hours care would be provided at the established Milford Haven site, with no overnight kennelling or boarding.

"The internal fit-out is expected to cost about £250,000 and use local builders and contractors," the applicant says.

It says losing the out-of-centre showroom would be outweighed because the premises would remain a community facility, alternative shops are available nearby and in the town centre, and no retail occupier came forward during previous marketing.

Pembrokeshire County Council planners will consider the proposal at a later date.

The application follows local vets Pete Howe and Alice Richards taking over All Pets Vet Care in Milford Marina from founder Billa Schleicher.