Former Pembrokeshire courtroom in line to become theatre

The application states that the project would insert a “sympathetically designed” tiered seating arrangement inside the courtroom while retaining the “historically significant” judges’ bench, but would not require any external alteration to the building. 

Theatres Trust has backed the project, suggesting that it could represent “a sensitive and compatible re-use” of the building, and citing a similar project in Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

The organisation did warn, however, that the project should ensure it “complements rather than competes” with the nearby Merlin Theatre at Pembrokeshire College.

In a submission to Pembrokeshire County Council, the Trust stated: “The supporting documents for this application provide no indication of the intended function, programme or capacity for this venue; it should be ensured that this complements rather than competes with the existing theatre to ensure Haverfordwest’s cultural offer is strengthened rather than undermined.”

Haverfordwest Town Council has also supported the project in principle, stating that it could “make a valuable contribution to the cultural life, vitality, and regeneration of Haverfordwest town centre” and “bring a long-vacant historic space back into active use”.