heritage
with a future
Haverfordwest’s dense concentration of historic buildings tells the story of nearly 1000 years of human activity from the 12th century castle to the quayside where sugar ships navigated into the town as late as 1936.
But Haverfordwest is not the vibrant town it was. Several of our town’s heritage buildings have been out of use and degrading for many years. Fifteen structures in the town are on the Heritage at Risk Register.
Foley House – visited by Nelson.
The impressive Shire Hall with its circular courtroom and basement jail.
The sweeping High Street, the lower part of which was designed by William Owen.
Many of these vacant buildings are iconic anchor sites within the townscape, with tremendous place-making potential as demonstrated by Haverhub – the reopening of the old Post Office as the vibrant and popular community space.
The town centre has declined with many premises vacant, or in meanwhile use by charities.
21% of the town’s class-A premises are vacant, almost double the national average (PCC Retail Survey Data 2022). This is due to a combination of reasons, including the rise in internet shopping and the exodus of commercial and retail businesses to out-of-town locations, and high rent and rates (The South West Wales Regional Plan for Regeneration, 2018).
Inspirational Haverhub – demonstrating how it can be done.
telling
Our neglected heritage buildings are a visible bellwether of the town’s fortunes. Unused and left to deteriorate further they reflect the decay in the town. But renovated and reopened they could be a critical catalyst helping to improve the town. The way we tell the story of our town can make all the difference. Please help us by getting involved.