Business

New rateable values could hit local firms – Kurtz calls for urgent checks

Published

2 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

LOCAL businesses are being urged to check their new rateable values immediately to understand whether recent changes could increase their business rates bills.

Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has warned that many firms may be unaware of how the updated valuations could impact them financially and is encouraging business owners to act quickly.

“Business rates are already a major burden for many local businesses,” Kurtz said. “With new rateable values now in place, it’s vital that businesses check their valuation as soon as possible to see whether it will affect what they pay. Too many businesses only realise there’s an issue when the bill arrives. Businesses can visit the VOA website and search their property by postcode or address.”

Rateable values are used to calculate business rates and are based on factors such as rental values and property use. Changes to these valuations can result in higher bills, even where a business has not expanded or increased turnover.

Kurtz stressed that early action is key, particularly for small and independent businesses operating on tight margins.

“Checking your rateable value early gives you time to understand the changes, seek advice, and challenge the valuation if it appears incorrect. Waiting could mean missed opportunities to reduce costs or appeal.”

Businesses are also being encouraged to attend the local information event online to better understand reliefs, exemptions, and the appeals process.

“At a time when costs are rising across the board, businesses need clarity and support, not surprises. I would urge every business owner to take a few minutes to check their rateable value and make sure it’s right.”

Samuel Kurtz MS has also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, calling on the Welsh Government to follow the UK Labour Government’s apparent change of direction on business rates in England warning that rising rateable values are pushing Welsh businesses to the brink.

For more information on business rates and for a chance to attend the upcoming advice session with the Valuation Office Agency hosted by Kurtz and Paul Davies MS on the 26^th January, businesses are encouraged to register their interest on www.samuelkurtz.wales

Business

Milford Haven’s offshore future in focus as floating wind project wins backing

Published

3 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Erebus scheme off Pembrokeshire coast backed in UK auction as Irish Sea port resilience plan published

PEMBROKESHIRE’S role in the next wave of offshore energy took a step forward on Wednesday (Jan 14) after a floating wind project planned off the county’s coastline secured UK Government backing — with ministers also publishing fresh recommendations aimed at improving resilience across Irish Sea ports.

RenewableUK Cymru said Blue Gem Wind’s Erebus floating offshore wind test and demonstration project in the Celtic Sea, off the Pembrokeshire coast, was among the successful schemes in the latest UK offshore wind auction.

The project is being positioned as an early proving ground for floating wind in the Celtic Sea — technology seen as key to unlocking larger developments later in the 2030s — and is expected to help build confidence, reduce costs and develop the skills and supply chains needed for bigger projects to follow.

For Pembrokeshire, the significance is not only the turbines offshore, but what comes with them onshore: ports, fabrication, logistics, marine services and long-term maintenance work.

Milford Haven, already one of Wales’s most strategically important ports and energy hubs, is expected to be central to any future Celtic Sea build-out — both in terms of supply-chain opportunities and the infrastructure needed to support new offshore industries.

RenewableUK Cymru said Wales secured two offshore wind successes in the auction, including Erebus in the south-west and RWE’s Awel y Môr off North Wales, representing around £2.6bn of investment opportunity and enough clean electricity to power almost one million homes. The projects are expected to be delivered around 2030–31.

On the same day, the Welsh and Irish governments published recommendations from the Irish Sea Resilience Taskforce, set up after the temporary closure of Holyhead Port in December 2024 caused major disruption.

Although Holyhead is in North Wales, the Taskforce’s work is being seen across the sector as a reminder that Welsh ports are critical national infrastructure — and that resilience, contingency planning and clear communication matter when services are disrupted.

The recommendations include steps aimed at improving contingency plans to protect passenger connectivity and manage disruption better, as well as a commitment to an annual bilateral meeting between Irish and Welsh transport officials.

Ireland’s Minister of State with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Seán Canney, said the Taskforce had strengthened relationships between departments and would continue through annual meetings and regular communication.

Wales’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said discussions had reinforced the importance of Irish Sea-facing ports to communities in Wales and Ireland, and the shared responsibility to ensure they “thrive and grow”.

Taken together, the announcements point to a clear theme for Pembrokeshire: Wales’s ports are being asked to do more — supporting new industries such as floating offshore wind, while also strengthening resilience and response planning for the disruptions that can hit major sea links.

For Milford Haven and the wider Haven Waterway, the question now is how quickly local infrastructure, contractors and training pathways can align with the emerging offshore wind opportunity — so that as projects scale up in the Celtic Sea, more of the jobs and investment are anchored in Pembrokeshire.

Later on Wednesday First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “I’m delighted that two Welsh offshore wind projects have secured contracts in the latest UK auction. This demonstrates how Wales is well placed to build on its existing capacity for renewable energy, to reap the benefits of these new projects bringing many high-quality jobs and wider economic benefits to our economy.

“The floating offshore project off the coast of Pembrokeshire will help kickstart the new floating offshore wind industry for Wales and, together with extending the fixed offshore wind generation in north Wales, will utilise the latest technology and help to reduce bills and boost our energy security.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “We will work with these companies to ensure our ports are used, and that our supply chains are in a position to support this industry. We know we have the ability to deliver on the skills already – our offer is recognised as globally competitive, and we will continue to build on this.”

“Wales is in a fantastic position to support the new floating wind industry and the additional fixed offshore wind projects.

Business

Pembrokeshire Herald website stats show it is now a regional player

Published

23 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD’s website reached more than one million users last year, according to new figures from Google Analytics, which highlight the title’s growing influence across West Wales and beyond.

Data from the Herald’s web analytics shows the site recorded 1.1 million active users in 2025, with 4.8 million page views over the year.

The figures represent a significant year-on-year increase on 2024, when the Herald recorded 937,000 active users and 3.9 million page views.

Average engagement time per user in 2025 was recorded at one minute and 24 seconds, suggesting readers are spending meaningful time consuming stories rather than clicking away after a single glance.

The data also sheds light on how readers are finding the Herald’s reporting, with the largest source of traffic coming from organic social media, followed by organic search and direct visits from returning readers.

The Herald’s Editor, Tom Sinclair said: “The figures confirm what we have been seeing on the ground for some time – The Pembrokeshire Herald is no longer just a local news outlet, it is a regional platform with the reach to match.

“That matters because it means Pembrokeshire stories are being read well beyond the county, and it also means local businesses have a serious, cost-effective way to advertise to large audiences across West Wales.”

He added that the growth reflects a combination of breaking news coverage, public interest reporting, and an increasing number of readers using the site as a daily news source.

The Herald will now use the data to support advertising partnerships with local firms, offering campaign reporting that focuses on UK delivery for businesses looking to reach customers in Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties.

The publication said it would continue investing in digital reporting while maintaining its long-standing commitment to covering local issues, crime, courts, councils and community stories.

Business

Welsh businesses invited to shine as awards open for 2026

Published

24 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Chambers Wales invites businesses of all sizes to enter flagship awards celebrating innovation, growth and impact

Entries have today (Jan 12) opened for the Wales Business Awards 2026, which celebrate innovation, ambition and achievement among businesses across Wales.

Organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, the awards are firmly established as a flagship event in the Welsh business calendar and aim to recognise organisations driving growth, creating opportunity and contributing to the Welsh economy.

The 2026 awards include categories covering areas such as innovation, manufacturing, customer excellence, creativity and inclusion. New awards introduced this year include Inclusive Employer of the Year, Start Up Business of the Year and the Wales Creative Impact Award, reflecting the evolving priorities of Welsh businesses.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne on May 14 at Holland House Hotel. One overall winner will also be named Wales Business of the Year.

The 2025 title was awarded to Concrete Canvas Ltd, a Pontyclun-based manufacturer recognised for its growth ambitions and innovative engineering solutions.

Gus Williams, chief executive of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said the awards highlight the role businesses play in shaping Wales’ economic future. He said: “Every year we are inspired by the quality, ambition and determination shown by businesses across Wales.

“The awards provide an opportunity to showcase success, share best practice and celebrate the positive impact Welsh businesses are making locally, nationally and internationally.”

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, with entry open to both Chamber members and non-members. The closing date for entries is February 27.

Further information and entry details are available via the Chambers Wales website.