Pembrokeshire Council chiefs have backed a lease for a “major high street retailer” to come to the vacant former Wilko’s store at Haverfordwest’s Riverside, but we may not know who it is before the end of the month.
A special extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet was held on Friday, October 16, with one item on the agenda: the redevelopment and a lease proposal for “a major high street retailer” to occupy the former Wilko’s site at Unit 1/2-6 Old Bridge, Haverfordwest.
Local speculation has previously focused on budget clothes retailer Primark occupying the site, but no announcement has been made.
The site is part of the Riverside Shopping Centre estate, acquired by Pembrokeshire County Council in November, 2020.
It was home to the town’s Wilko store until the retailer closed it in 2023 after its parent company went into administration.
A report for members at the meeting said: “Upon the building being returned to the council, it became apparent that it was in a poor state of repair. The deteriorating roof, ageing building fabric and outdated internal layout limited its suitability for modern retail, commercial or community uses without substantial investment.
“The council was also unable to fully recover dilapidation costs due to Wilko’s insolvency.
“Since becoming vacant, the property has represented one of the most significant empty commercial units in the county town.
“Recognising its strategic importance, the council has pursued proposals to refurbish and repurpose the building to secure a new occupier, increase town centre footfall, generate rental income, increase employment opportunity and support the wider regeneration of Haverfordwest.”
It added a lease offer from “a major high street retailer” is considered to “provide best value to the council, both in terms of rental income and the wider economic benefits associated with securing a nationally recognised occupier within the town centre”, the report says.
The proposed lease has been approved by the would-be tenant’s board, with approval valid until October 31.
It was recommended to approve the lease, which would “support the ongoing regeneration of Haverfordwest town centre by securing a major high street retailer for a prominent vacant unit.”
At the meeting, Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the scheme was about “regenerating Haverfordwest and increasing footfall,” which would ensure “a long-term future” for the Riverside area.
He said the proposal wasn’t “about accepting any business,” but one that would be an “effective footfall driver”.
“I believe the proposed letting in front of us gives such a tenant; on the store opening this will be a very effective drive for people visiting the town centre.”
He told members initial works to the building would incur costs, the full costs being released at a later date after the figures had been fully tendered.
Cllr Miller told fellow Cabinet members that the lease was “substantially agreed,” with a target date for completion “on or before October 31”.
On the whole town centre regeneration ethos he said the choice was to either allow it to “wither on the vine,” or be invested in, adding: “I think the momentum is building really nicely in terms of the regeneration of Haverfordwest town centre to something we can be pretty proud of.”
He went on to say: “This won’t be ‘job done’ in terms of Haverfordwest,” adding: “This won’t be the only tenancy announced in 2026, I’m pretty confident on that.”
Following a discussion in private session, members backed the lease to the as-yet unknown retailer.
