Haverfordwest’s long-running town centre regeneration has moved into a fresh phase, council leaders say, with a national retailer expected to occupy the former Wilko premises and a new £19 million Public Transport Interchange due to open next month.
Transport hub to improve access
Pembrokeshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for education and regeneration, Cllr Paul Miller, confirmed the interchange is scheduled to open in the third week of September. The new facility is designed to make the county town easier to visit and to support the wider ambition of bringing more visitors, businesses and residents back into Haverfordwest.
- Cost: £19 million
- Opening: Third week of September
- Parking: Around 300 bays, with one hour free parking
- Other features: Electric vehicle charging points
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost | £19 million |
| Parking capacity | Around 300 bays |
| Free parking | One hour |
| Opening timeframe | Third week of September |
Anchor tenant and a mixed-economy vision
Cllr Miller described the incoming retailer for the former Wilko unit as a likely “big anchor tenant” for the town centre, although the council has not yet released the name of the business. He said conversations with retailers had shifted, with more firms now proactively approaching the regeneration team rather than waiting to be targeted.
“We want to make Haverfordwest an easy and convenient place to visit, whilst giving people reasons to visit.”
The council is developing the town-centre scheme as a mixed economy, integrating retail, food and drink, leisure, entertainment and housing. Work already under way or announced includes new or expanded operations from Waldo Lounge, Tenby Brewing Company and a Specsavers branch at Riverside.
Why the changes matter locally
For residents and traders in and around Haverfordwest, the combined effect of a modern transport interchange and fresh retail interest represents both practical and symbolic gains. The transport hub should ease short visits with free parking and increase capacity for visitors arriving by car, while EV chargers reflect broader moves to support low-emission travel.
More than convenience, the council emphasises the importance of creating a coherent town centre rooted in Haverfordwest’s river corridor and the castle — heritage assets that, the authority hopes, will help draw people into the heart of the county town rather than merely passing through.
Local businesses have previously described the town’s prospects as closely tied to footfall and accessibility. By enlarging the offer — from national retail to independent food and drink operators — the council is aiming to spread economic activity across different sectors and times of day, a recognised approach in place-making and high street renewal.
Next steps and expectations
While the transport interchange has a clear opening window, details about the new Wilko tenant remain under wraps. Cllr Miller said the identity of the incoming retailer will act as a significant draw, and that industry interest is increasing. He pointed to an evolving dialogue with potential investors as a sign of growing confidence in Haverfordwest’s future.
As the project advances, residents and visitors will be watching to see how quickly promised improvements translate into more visible activity on the streets and in shopfronts. For now, the council’s timetable centres on September’s interchange opening and the hope that a major retail announcement will follow to anchor the redevelopment.
The regeneration forms part of a 15-year strategy to revive the county town, a plan that places accessibility, heritage and a mixed-use economy at its core. If the coming weeks deliver on the council’s timetable, Haverfordwest could see a noticeable change in how the town functions and how it is perceived by shoppers, commuters and visitors alike.
