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Celtic collection appointed to manage new Milford Haven hotel

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A 100-BEDROOM hotel being built as part of the Milford Waterfront development in Milford Haven will be managed and operated by the team responsible for the iconic Celtic Manor Resort, as part of its expanding Celtic Collection of properties.

Celtic Manor, which made global headlines when it staged the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit, brings its knowledge and expertise to operating the new hotel in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven, the venue’s owner.

Forming part of the Celtic Collection’s new portfolio of Tŷ Hotels, the 46,000 sq ft property will be located at the entrance to Milford Waterfront on the Pembrokeshire Coast.

When it opens in 2022, the new hotel will feature four floors of bedroom accommodation and benefit from picture-postcard views across Milford Marina. A variety of bedroom types, including family rooms, make it the ideal base for purposeful travellers for both business and leisure.

Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront will also house a restaurant and bar, a private dining area, and an activity suite within the ground floor.

The hotel will provide a significant draw for new tourists to Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire, as part of a major redevelopment of the waterfront. Around 50 permanent jobs will be created in the hotel’s operations with many more supported in the supply chain.

Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, Andy Jones, said: “The new Tŷ Hotel is great news for Pembrokeshire and represents a watershed moment for Milford Waterfront. The Celtic Collection, with its international standing, shares our passion for the destination – with its fascinating history and stunning marina backdrop – and has joined us to tell a global audience that Milford Waterfront is a fantastic place to visit and to stay.

“An investment of this kind creates a ripple effect, building even greater positivity among local businesses and creating opportunities for jobs and long-term growth. Despite lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, many Milford Waterfront businesses have continued to thrive and are looking forward to opening their doors again and welcoming families and foodies alike.

“We are a proud Pembrokeshire business and are delighted to be bringing this high quality investment to the area in partnership with The Celtic Collection. It really does demonstrate to other investors that Pembrokeshire offers great opportunities for growth.”

Construction work commenced in January and has been ongoing during the present lockdown with the hotel expected to be completed in time for opening in the Spring of 2022.

The Celtic Collection Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to manage and operate this exciting new hotel in a spectacular waterfront location and we are excited to launch this partnership with the Port of Milford Haven.

“After such a difficult year for tourism and hospitality, it is fantastic to announce this positive news as we look forward to the sector reopening. We know this hotel is going to bring a welcome boost to the local economy and attract a lot of new visitors to Milford Haven.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for The Celtic Collection to expand our horizons and bring our expertise in hotels and hospitality to Pembrokeshire, a region which is world-renowned as a tourist destination thanks to its spectacular coastline and landscape, and its welcoming people.

“We look forward to working with the community and with local suppliers and stakeholders to make a real success of this new hotel and drive more prosperity for the region.”

Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire, Jane Rees-Baynes, said: “We, at Visit Pembrokeshire, are delighted to learn that the new operator of the Milford Waterfront hotel will be Tŷ Hotels, part of the Celtic Collection. The new hotel will not only bring a new accommodation offering to this part of Pembrokeshire, it will also bring additional employment opportunities in one of our key sectors.

“It builds on the fantastic work the Port of Milford Haven has been doing with Milford Waterfront – strengthening the offering both for locals and for visitors. We look forward to working closely with the Port, Milford Waterfront and Tŷ Hotels to help deliver our vision of growing tourism in Pembrokeshire for the benefit of all.”

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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Ocky White Travel marks 60th anniversary with luxury cruise giveaway

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IN a grand gesture commemorating six decades of unparalleled service in the travel industry, Pembrokeshire’s venerated independent travel agency, Ocky White Travel, has announced an extraordinary giveaway—a luxury cruise for two, in partnership with Pure West Radio.

Established 60 years ago, Ocky White Travel has become a staple in the lives of Pembrokeshire residents, offering dream holidays and contributing significantly to the local economy. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of neighbouring businesses and the often harsh realities of the travel sector, Ocky White Travel has stood firm, a testament to its resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction.

This resilience was further demonstrated when, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic—a period that saw many in the industry falter—Ocky White Travel not only survived but thrived by expanding its operations to include Sam Smith Travel in Cowbridge. This expansion has allowed the agency to extend its exceptional service to a broader audience across South Wales.

Celebrating this milestone, Ocky White Travel has engaged in a comprehensive multi-media campaign, underscored by its official sponsorship of the PWR Daytime Show. A central highlight of this celebration is a tiered competition, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a luxury Nordic cruise for two. The competition, which has garnered thousands of entries since its launch on 21st February, underscores the agency’s dedication to rewarding its loyal clientele.

Mark White, Owner and Managing Director of Ocky White Travel, expressed immense pride in reaching this significant milestone. He emphasised the agency’s unique position in the hearts of many families across generations, attributing this success to the personalised service and deep understanding of client needs that have become the hallmark of Ocky White Travel.

Echoing this sentiment, Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on local residents. He praised Ocky White Travel for its hands-on approach and the invaluable advice provided by its seasoned staff. The giveaway, featuring a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, stands as the most significant prize offered by the radio station, symbolising a “holiday of a lifetime.”

Entries for this historic giveaway will remain open until 31st March, with the lucky winners to be announced on Pure West Radio’s Daytime Show. This event not only celebrates Ocky White Travel’s 60 years of service but also its enduring commitment to creating unforgettable holiday experiences for its customers.

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