A dog rescue worker’s call to approve a dog grooming salon and dog-friendly shop on a Pembrokeshire high street has been given the thumbs-up by county planners.

Dog groomer – and former dog rescue worker specialising in puppy farm rescues – Abigail Wooding of Robeston Wathen-based Kooky Poodle sought permission for two floors of a retail business with an ancillary dog grooming facility to the rear of the vacant Grade-II-listed 2 High Street, Narberth.

A statement in support of the application said works to partition off the dog grooming area and ‘finishing off room’ along with a shop counter, soundproofing and a dog bath had started in May but hadn’t been finished.

Abigail, in her statement, said she had run her grooming business since late 2021, specialising in working with fearful dogs and/or dogs that have been through trauma/abuse on a one-to-one basis, keeping the grooming area quiet and calm, with a strict no barking/high noise policy.

An officer report said: “As the main use would be retail the small grooming area is considered to be an acceptable ancillary area which would not compromise the main retail use.”

The application was conditionally approved by Pembrokeshire Council’s committee.