The news that the public toilets in Carew will remain open until at least the end of October 2025 has been warmly welcomed by the residents of Carew, who have campaigned for many months to keep these facilities operational.

County Councillor Vanessa Thomas was pleased to make the announcement after the March meeting of Carew Community Council on Wednesday 12.

The Community Council had worked hard to keep these facilities open for 12 months after Pembrokeshire County Council initially announced their closure plans last year. During that time, councillors explored every possible solution for maintaining these essential amenities. However, despite some ardent campaigning, the public toilets at Carew were set to close permanently from April 1, it was announced in January, after the community made its feelings clear that it would be unfair to make local residents to pay to keep the toilets open.

The achievement of this new extension to at least October is thanks to the tireless efforts of the Independent Group, the largest political group at Pembrokeshire County Council. They presented their budget to the Cabinet, which was approved, and this budget was agreed upon by full council on March 6, 2025.

Included in these budget proposals was a commitment to keep both Carew and Penally toilets open - both previously destined for closure, until at least October 31, 2025, recognising their importance to the communities.

Carew Community Council strongly believes that keeping these toilets open is essential and issued the following statement recently: “We are delighted that visitors, locals and the many who pass through our village can continue to enjoy the reassurance that these facilities will be available until at least the end October 2025.”

Councillor Vanessa Thomas would like to express her gratitude to her colleagues in the Independent Group for their hard work and support.