A business owner in the food sector who successfully challenged a national park authority’s refusal of her plans for a harbour food outlet in Tenby has spoken about her excitement to move forward with the venture.

At the March 2025 development management committee meeting, planners working for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park refused Ruby Goodrick permission to transform the former RNLI lifeboat station at Penniless Cove in Tenby Harbour into a cold food takeaway operating between 10am and 10pm each day.

The application was considered by committee members rather than decided by officers because of an objection submitted by Tenby Town Council, and despite representing a departure from the adopted development plan, the scheme was presented for approval.

Ruby subsequently lodged a successful appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). The Inspector’s decision letter, which gave the green light to the development, considered whether the proposal would represent a suitable use in this location, its impact on the character and visual quality of the area, and potential effects on the Tenby Conservation Area.

The report noted that while the site was situated just outside the town centre, the Inspector stated that a small cold food takeaway in this position would not harm Tenby’s town centre or its retail function, nor would it jeopardise the centre’s future viability and activity. It added that the scheme would actually strengthen the town centre’s role by increasing the range of facilities at this edge-of-centre location, as set out in Future Wales.

Following her appeal success, Ruby, who recently reopened her mother’s former sandwich business on South Parade in the town, said the process had taken three years with many ups and downs, and she was truly pleased and relieved that the appeal had been upheld.

She explained that as someone with strong connections to Tenby, reviving her mother’s sandwich shop, Trulys Sandwich Shop, on South Parade seven months ago had been deeply significant, and the opportunity to establish another location at Tenby Harbour was something she felt tremendous pride about.

She expressed heartfelt thanks to all those who had sent messages of encouragement and support throughout what had been a lengthy process, saying it had meant a great deal to her and her family.

She said she was very much looking forward to developing the new takeaway at Tenby Harbour and to serving both local residents and visitors while bringing something new to the harbour area.