Alcohol-free pub is new Welsh vibe'

A pub that does not serve alcohol has been opened in Wales. The former Marquis of Granby in Carmarthen has been re-named Vibe and will be serving fizzy pop and milkshakes to teenagers ­ and anyone else who wants to relax without alcohol. Vibe is the brainchild of registered nurse-turned-landlady Michelle Pareima, who was sick of youths hanging around her house and decided to invest £25,000 of her own money to get the venture off the ground. Vibe features comfy sofas, a jukebox and a disco as well as DJ nights and live bands. "Hopefully, they will be more likely to come here rather than just hand around the streets," she said. "This is for all ages, open seven days and evenings a week." There is a quieter upstairs, where parents and older people can relax. The pub has been open two weeks and so far business is booming. "We've been hectic," said Pareima. "It's not just for teenagers but pensioners as well. The idea is to break down barriers. It's not a youth club ­ it looks like a pub with milkshakes on optic, pool tables, juke box and computer games." And if Vibe proves a success, she has plans to open another "pub" in her home town of Haverfordwest next year.