Specsavers Plans Approved

Plans for a new Specsavers store at the former Poundland in Haverfordwest’s Riverside Quay have been approved following a recently-agreed lease with the council.

The application, by Specsavers Optical Stores UK through agent Fisch Design Ltd sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council planners for new shopfront windows and doors at 21 Riverside Quay, along with the installation of 25 condenser units on the building’s flat roof.

Back in 2020 it was announced the Poundland store was to close, having been on-site since 2011, the site previously occupied by Boots.

It was more recently announced the optometry company had signed a lease with Pembrokeshire County Council to occupy the building, which will allow examination rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling Specsavers to offer enhanced sight, contact lens, and audiology services.

That lease agreement was welcomed by deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, who said: “This shows confidence in both the present and future of Haverfordwest, which is undergoing major regeneration by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Through taking control of the Riverside Shopping Centre, we have been able to secure investment and tenancies in the town while also recovering the council’s investment to purchase the site.”

A supporting statement with the application said the internal works “mainly comprise of removing the previous tenant’s fittings, and installing new stud walls and wall linings to form the new store layout”.

It said the first-floor roof condensers “are required for the large site to serve the circulation spaces over two floors and the 22 new medical test rooms that are being created during the internal refurbishment/remodel.

“Legislation for medical care dictates that individual AC units are required for each test room and the customer circulation spaces to ensure fresh air flow with the interior temperature being kept constant for the delicate equipment and testing procedures used throughout the store.”

The scheme was conditionally approved by planning officers.