Charles, when he visited Market Town in Narverse when he was Prince of Wales (Image: Getty)
A charming small town with a population of just 3,000 people, Nurbers is bustling with activities as locals and visitors explore high streets, independent shops, cafes, butchers, bakeries and other fun products. The town's compact size and close community are part of its appeal.
However, this corner of Pembrokeshire relies heavily on one thing: tourism. Despite its population of around 125,000 (about half of Swansea's population), the county attracts millions of visitors each year.
According to a report by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Service, there were 6.6 million visitors in 2022 alone. However, the recent announcement that Oakwood, Wales' biggest theme park, located just five miles from Nerverse, will not resume for the 2025 season has sent shockwaves through the community.
Park owner Aspro Parks has acknowledged that operating and maintaining the once popular family charm is no longer financially viable, Wales reports online.
Since its opening in 1987, Oakwood has been a major attraction, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year during its heyday. People flocked from every corner of Pembrokeshire, Wales and the UK to experience the park
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Shop owner Mark Richards can remember when Oakwood first returned to the 1980s (Image: John Myers)
There was a general agreement that Oakwood's golden age had passed, but the closure of one of Pembrokeshire's most iconic landmarks undoubtedly left a sense of melancholy. Oakwood is extremely important in the area and it is rare to find someone in Wales where they hadn't visited.
The co-owner of the convenient and beautiful things, Mark Richards, an antique shop in Central Nerverse, a local born and raised in Pembrokeshire, reminded me of Oakwood's inauguration. He expressed his sadness, saying, “It's sad. I know a lot of people who worked there and the employment aspect of it is really a loss.”
Despite the closure, Richards hopes that businesses like him will not be affected as Narberth attracts visitors for a variety of reasons. He said: “We're very fortunate in Pembrokeshire – like Folly Farm and Heatherton (the world of activity) – and what I found was that people tended to spend the day there rather than going to Oakwood and coming to Nurbears. Bluestone (resorts) are different.
Convenient and beautiful things, antique shop in the heart of Navelous (Image: John Myers)
What is the magic behind Narverse's charm?
“I don't know what's so great,” Richards said. I looked back at the loyalty of customers who frequently visited his shop years ago and returned. “People want to go back to Narverse. There's a lot of small, independent shops and wandering people.”
Oakwood featured roller coasters and other rides, but it was downhill for years. (Image: Getty)
Narberth's Fire and Ice (Image: John Myers)
However, Narverse has not always been a trendy hotspot. Today, walking along the streets gives us a sense of being in a fashionable, lively and contemporary town, opposing the challenges that plague the high streets around the country in an era dominated by online shopping.
“Back in the '70s and '80s, it was a very devastated market town,” recalls Richards. “It had a lot of pubs and it was a rough old place. It seems the gallery opened on High Street (the Golden Thief Gallery that has been open since 1992) and the balls started rolling.
Along the way, near the town's clock tower is Fire and Ice, a craft bottle shop that won't be impressed by its wide selection of artisan cider, spirits and craft ales. And don't forget about ice cream. In 2023, the Guardian named the restaurant one of the “best places to eat ice cream in the UK.”
Clock Tower at Nurberstown Hall (Image: John Myers)
Owner Ivan Wilson has just returned to shocking news of Oakwood's closure from the holiday. Working in a theme park more than 20 years ago, filming his thrill-seeking experience with an iconic dizzy ride, his main concern is employees who remain unemployed, especially those who rely on summer jobs to pay off student debts.
“People will have no jobs this summer,” he said. “The park hired a lot of young people and students. If the student has debt, they need to work that summer. I don't know how that would affect Nabels themselves. Many of the Oakwood visitors were day trips, so I don't think they'll miss it from a town trade perspective.”
He believes that Narbáth's trade will not have a major impact, but Wilson is concerned about the wider impact of Pembrokeshire's tourism industry, as many Oakwood visitors were daytrippers.
“Has the dynamics changed?” he pondered. “What is Pembrokeshire tourism?” Wilson also discussed the complexities surrounding the second home's council tax rate, but is now set at a 200% premium, down from April to 150%.
He noted that this had previously spent money in the area and stolen people who had affected the local economy. Additionally, Wilson has expressed concern about the potential introduction of tourism taxes over the next few years and the impact on towns like Narvath.
“It's a tough job to run an independent store in Nabelous at this point. “To be here (on fire and ice) I'm lucky that I don't have to hire anyone else. If I were working in hospitality, I would be worried.”
Kevin Hart runs the pub, restaurant, campsite, event venue and Snooty Fox next to Oakwood Theme Park (Image: Media Wales)
Kevin Hart, who runs Snooty Fox, a pub, restaurant, campsite and event venue, is a stone throw from Oakwood. From his parking lot, several rides can be found, and usually the megaphobia rushing carriage will be heard in the coming months.
“It's been downhill for a while,” Hart commented. “Camp guests walking to Oakwood often reported many closed rides.
“Thankfully, people get a lot of deals from Bluestone as they want to stay there for a few days and go out and explore the area. It's surprising, but there are many other facilities (the area) and there are still plenty of things that attract people.”
Victoria James, Owner of Clothing Boutique Rock n Laura (Image: John Myers)
In the quaint and quaint town of Narvath, Victoria James, owner of the Chic Rock N Laura Retro Clothing Boutique, admits that the loss of a critical tourist draw like the Oakwood theme park is indeed a “big hit.” However, she is optimistic about the town's resilience and believes she will not suffer from closure.
She explains: “Narvath is a bustling, lively market town with many independent shops, and that's why it's unique.Narvath is pretty busy now, but gets busy at the start of the holidays. I think Oakwood was a destination in itself.
Wales Tourism Allowance has expressed concern and labelled the situation as “the tip of the iceberg for tourism with Wales.” The full impact of Oakwood's shutdown has not yet been decided, and there may be some summer seasons to get a full grasp, but the Navelous community remains hopeful.
They believe their charming towns and picturesque counties have enough charm to withstand this latest challenge.
