Pub giant JD Wetherspoon opens its first Pembrokeshire establishment today (Friday), in the county town of Haverfordwest.

The redevelopment of the former Wilton House hotel on Quay Street, which cost £985,000, has transformed the grade II listed building into The William Owen, with the creation of 45 jobs.

Named after a four-times mayor of Haverfordwest, a driving force behind improvements made to the town in the early 19th century, the new pub will specialise in real ales, serving a wide range of beers, including local and regional brews.

The son of a cabinet maker, William Owen also designed the Shire Hall and built the New Bridge over the River Cleddau, a historic connection which JD Wetherspoon wanted to recognise.

Photos and information boards relating to the history and characters of the area will be displayed in the pub.

The manager, Andrew Coates, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and am confident that it will be a good addition to Haverfordwest’s social scene.”

The William Owen will be open from 7am until midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and from 7am until 1am on Friday and Saturday. Food will be served throughout the day, until 10pm, seven days a week.

Children, accompanied by an adult, will be welcome in the pub until 9pm during the week (Sunday to Thursday), with last orders for food at 8pm, and until 6pm on Friday and Saturday (last orders for food at 5pm). As a condition of the licence, both adult and child must order a meal.

The pub is wheelchair accessible and has toilet facilities for people with disabilities.

The new-look outlet will feature one bar on the ground floor, as well as a beer garden to the rear of the building, where smoking will be permitted.