A Premier retailer who housed a Ukrainian family in the past month has revealed the experience led to “surprising” conversations with customers.

Vince Malone, owner of Premier Tenby Stores in Pembrokeshire, told betterRetailing he gave refuge to the family for one week before they decided to return to Ukraine to fight invading Russian troops.

“We would have had them much longer, but they told us their stay gave them space to think,” he said. “They never wanted to leave Ukraine. Their family is there, and the husband felt he had to go back and fight.”

Malone and his wife took in husband Igor and wife Alla and their two children after making contact with them online.