Grand Opening: Paul Sartori Pembroke Dock Store, newly extended

FRIDAY, May 1 saw the Mayor’s Grand Opening of the extended Paul Sartori Store in Pembroke Dock, a joyful occasion.
Speaking to a crowd of well-wishers, staff and volunteers, Julia Brady, the Hospice at Home charity’s Head of Retail, said:
“It’s been a long time in the making; we’ve been very patient and it’s all been because of the fabulous support that Kelly and her volunteer team have given to Paul Sartori here.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do every day, allowing us to have the shop open and support Paul Sartori,” she added.
“It costs Paul Sartori about £3,600 a day to deliver clinical care – the free care that we provide in Pembrokeshire and it’s shops like this that help provide that care so thank you to all those customers as well who actually come in and buy stuff with us.
Julia continued: “I’m very delighted to have Michele here who is the Mayor of Pembroke Dock who is going to (hopefully, with the scissors) officially open this long-awaited extension.”
Before she handed over to Cllr Michele Wiggins, Julia added her thanks to Gill from Tesco “who has been a huge support in bringing so many things for raffle prizes and coming along and showing what community spirit is all about.”
Gill had also provided the sweets that were being handed out to visitors as they arrived in the shop.
Mayor Michele followed up with these words:
“Good morning, bore da. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today to our grand opening. Thank you all for coming to the opening of the new extended Paul Sartori Store. Every purchase helps Paul Sartori.
As this point she mentioned the special Opening Day 20 per cent discount and encouraged support for the raffle.
“Thank you for all your hard work for making this happen today.”
The Mayor then cut the ribbon, and guests were invited to “come on through” to view the new extension. They wasted no time in accepting the invitation.
The new ‘wing’ holds an extensive range of high quality furniture, imaginatively arranged to show its potential in the home. There is also a selection of mobility equipment.
A further effect of extending the store is the creation of a little extra ‘breathing space’ in the original part of the shop, which houses everything from fridges and televisions to clothes and bags, as well as china and glass, crafting supplies, books and CDs.
Paul Sartori Chairman Phil Thompson MBE attended the event. He told the Tenby Observer that the Pembroke Dock store was performing particularly among the charity’s outlets across Pembrokeshire, thanks to Kelly and her staff, so the Foundation was able to take on the full building (following the closure of neighbouring business Bierspool Cycles).
Mr Thompson noted that one particular advantage of the extension was that signage could be placed on the side of the building, facing Tesco car park, making it much more visible from the road.