A new scheme is being launched to support investment into commercial properties in priority areas in Pembroke and Haverfordwest town centres.

The Targeted Regeneration Investment (TRI) grant programme aims to support the regeneration of town centres by enabling retail and associated floor space to be improved and upgraded.

The priority areas in Pembroke are Northgate Street, Castle Terrace, and Main Street towards East Back. In Haverfordwest, the priority areas are Bridge Street, Victoria Place, and Quay Street (as far as the old Post Office building).

The programme has two main funding streams:

• Property Enhancement Development Grants for the improvement of ground floor commercial and retail spaces
• Sustainable Living Grants for the conversion of vacant commercial floor space into new homes

The Property Enhancement Development Grant provides gap funding to improve the frontages of vacant commercial buildings, with the aim of bringing floor space back into beneficial business use. Where a local need has been identified, the grant would also fund development projects that create new commercial floor space.

The Sustainable Living Grants will support the conversion of vacant commercial floor space on upper floors into new homes. They can be used alongside the Property Enhancement Development Grant and other initiatives to ensure a mixed use regeneration of properties. The aim is to bring new tenants into the area, including young professionals, to support the local economy and create a safer, more sustainable environment.

To complement the new TRI grant programme, the existing Town Centre Loan (TCL) fund has been refreshed to address the number of empty, underused sites and premises in all town centres across Pembrokeshire through the provision of interest-free loans to owners.

Owners looking to refurbish convert or develop redundant, vacant and underutilised sites and premises in the town centre can apply for secured loans, for a maximum term of five years, for projects that meet core eligibility criteria and are within the town centre areas.

Loans are interest-free, but subject to a ‘one-off’ administration fee to cover costs associated with administering the scheme.

In the first instance, interested parties will be required to submit an Expression of Interest.

Both the TRI and TCL programmes are funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said:

“I've been clear that we are going to proactively support our key town centres. We're doing that through flagship projects like South Quay in Pembroke, Haverfordwest Castle and Chimneys Link in Fishguard. But a few projects in isolation is never going to be enough to give our town centres the new lease of life they need. There needs to a plan and appropriate support for the whole of the town centre area and these grant schemes are the next part of that support jigsaw.”

“Targeted at the key areas of Pembroke and Haverfordwest we're doing two things; firstly, supporting property owners to improve commercial space on the ground floor and secondly, supporting the conversion of unused upper floor space in homes. To be clear, never again while I am the Cabinet Member will PCC be supporting the proliferation of bed-sit type accommodation but I am absolutely committed to supporting the creation of quality homes in town centres which is key to building footfall and vibrancy.”

Welcoming the news, the County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South, Cllr Aaron Carey, said it was ‘wonderful to see the beginning of exciting things for Pembroke’.

“Alongside the developing South Quay project this will go even further to revitalising Pembroke,” he said. “The face of the high street is changing and without money to convert commercial spaces they are remaining empty and disused. I hope that future planning regulations will reflect this change in our high streets and make things for property owners a little bit easier.”

The County Councillor for Haverfordwest Castle Ward, Cllr Thomas Tudor, also welcomed the news.

“I feel that this is an integral part of the Haverfordwest Master Plan which aims to boost the footfall and economic activity – both in the day and at night time,” he said.

“I see Haverfordwest Town Centre as being a multi-functional place for all, offering a place to live, work, play and visit and I am very hopeful for its future development as a thriving place for locals and tourists. The future looks very bright indeed.”

If you are interested in the funding and have a deliverable project within the priority areas in Haverfordwest and Pembroke town centres, the regeneration team at Pembrokeshire County Council would like to talk to you. Applications will only be considered following discussion and understanding of your project directly with you as the applicant. Please contact David Jenkins for further information at Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 775381 or email: [email protected]