Business

Pembrokeshire businesses fear for future as rates revaluation triggers big increases

Published

2 months ago

December 1, 2025

Sharp rises worry traders across the county and beyond

A NUMBER of Pembrokeshire businesses say they are worried about their future after being told their business rates are likely to rise sharply from April.

Firms across the county have been notified that the rateable value of their premises has increased under the latest revaluation carried out by the Valuation Office Agency, which reviews commercial property values every three years across Wales and England.

Business rates for the next financial year will depend on the multiplier set by the Welsh Government. For 2025–26, the multiplier is 0.568, but ministers have not yet confirmed what figure will apply from April.

The Welsh Government says it has provided £1 billion in rates relief to the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors over the last six years, and insists that revaluation does not increase overall revenues but updates bills “to reflect current property market conditions”.

Hotels, pubs and holiday parks facing steep rises

In Cwm Gwaun, the Gelli Fawr Hotel has seen its valuation more than double from £45,000 to £108,000, while in Newport the Golden Lion pub faces a rise from £98,000 to £130,000 — an increase of 33%.

Local business owners say the increases come at a time when energy, staffing and supply costs remain high, and many customers are already cutting back. Several told the Herald the lack of warning has made planning extremely difficult, and that margins are already “paper thin”.

Tourism operators, including holiday parks in the Newport area, say the uncertainty over the final rates multiplier — which will determine the actual bill — is causing significant anxiety heading into the new season.

In Milford Haven, the had pressed pub sector is affected badly. The bill for The Lord Kitchener pub is increasing from £5,000 to £15,000 and the rates at the Kimberley Public House have nearly doubled from £10,500 to £19,500.

The Imperial Hall’s rates are increasing from £5,800 to £9,200. It’s director, Lee Bridges, said: “Business rates are Council Tax for businesses, why are we being asked to pay more when we use less services.

“A business in existence already contributes into the pool by paying VAT, NI, wages to staff who pay council tax etc.”

In Haverfordwest, the annual rates bill at Eddies Nightclub is increasing from £57,000 to £61,500 per year.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) says it uses ‘fair maintainable turnover’ to value public houses and hotels. This is the annual income they think a reasonably efficient landlord could expect to achieve on a certain date.

A rental percentage is applied to the turnover estimate to get the rateable value. The percentage takes into account things like the type of pub and its location.

But it is not only the hospitality sector affected.

Educational establishments are too. For example, the ratable value of Happy Days Nursery in Milford Haven is going up from £16,000 to £30,500, new figures reveal.

This is a massive increase for a small operator already dealing with increased energy costs and other expenses.

‘Very anxious’ – county councillor

Independent councillor Huw Murphy, who represents Newport, Pembrokeshire, said many businesses have contacted him after receiving substantial valuation increases.

“Businesses are very anxious about what happens from 1 April,” he said. “It looks likely that rates will rise, and for some the increase could be extremely high. If margins disappear, jobs will go.”

Small firms call for stability

Speaking to S4C, Dr Llyr ap Gareth, of the Federation of Small Businesses Wales, said small firms have been under intense pressure for years.

“Anything that increases costs is a major concern,” he said. “The Welsh Government needs to provide clarity as early as possible. A lack of certainty is a real problem.”

The VOA said valuations rise or fall depending on location and property type, and that the hospitality sector is seeing increases because many businesses have recovered since the pandemic suppressed values during the last revaluation.

Business rate arrangements for 2026–27 are expected to be confirmed when the Welsh Government publishes its budget on 20 January 2026.

Business

Plans for new flats in Merlin’s Hill conservation area approved

Published

26 minutes ago

January 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A call to convert a former guest house in Haverfordwest’s conservation area to flats has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr J Wandrum, through agent Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services, sought a change of use of the nine-bed Normandie House guest house, 1 Merlin’s Hill, to four flats.

A supporting statement said planning permission for a change of use had previously been granted back in 2015 but was never implemented, the existing use continuing.

It added: “The submitted application seeks consent for the change of use of the building from a nine-bedroom guest house to create four self-contained flats (three two-bed flats and one one-bed). The conversion does not require any extension or significant external alteration of the building.

“The overall impact of the scheme upon residential amenity of neighbouring properties would be no greater than the former guest house use and in discussions with immediate neighbours the applicant has informed that this proposal is welcomed by them. No matters related to protected species are envisaged and no work that might affect any habitat is proposed.”

It went on to say there were no surface water drainage issues related to this proposal as there is no change to the amount of surface water to be disposed of.

“Mains foul drainage is connected, and it is considered that there will be a reduction in the foul flows generated from the site when judged against the guest house use.”

The application was conditionally approved by planning officers under delegated powers, the approval saying: “This application has been screened in accordance with Natural Resources Wales’ interim advice for planning applications within the river Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) catchments. It is considered that this development is unlikely to increase phosphate inputs.”

Business

Blas brings Pembrokeshire flavours to Cardiff with ‘Blas in the City’ at The Parkgate Hotel

Published

15 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BLAS RESTAURANT, the three AA rosette dining destination known for its modern Welsh cooking and deep connection to Pembrokeshire’s land and coast, is heading to the capital for a special three-day pop-up: Blas in the City, taking place from Thursday 26 February to Saturday 28 February 2026 at The Sorting Room in Cardiff’s landmark Parkgate Hotel.

For a limited time only, Cardiff diners are invited to experience the flavours, creativity and storytelling that define Blas — without leaving the city. Working alongside The Parkgate Hotel’s kitchen team, Blas Head Chefs Dan Slipakiv and Gareth Evans will present a bespoke menu showcasing the best of seasonal Welsh produce, with refined, flavour-led dishes inspired by Wales’s rich natural larder.

“Blas in the City is an exciting opportunity for us to share what we do with a new audience,” said Blas Head Chef Gareth Evans. “We’re proud of our Pembrokeshire roots, and this collaboration allows us to bring the spirit, flavours and creativity of Blas to Cardiff.”

Hosted in The Sorting Room — a Michelin Guide-listed, two AA rosette restaurant — the pop-up combines Blas’s bold contemporary style with the elegance of one of Cardiff’s most celebrated dining rooms.

Event details

Dates: 26–28 February 2026

Lunch: 12:30pm – 3:45pm

Dinner: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Location: The Sorting Room, The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff

Dress code: Smart casual

Guests can book for lunch or dinner across all three days, with exclusive menus available throughout the event.

Blas in the City reflects the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to championing Welsh food, seasonal cooking and meaningful collaborations — offering guests the chance to enjoy something genuinely memorable.

Bookings are now open and availability is limited.
https://www.theparkgatehotel.wales/home/restaurant-bar/blas-in-the-city/

About Blas Restaurant

Blas is a three AA rosette contemporary Welsh restaurant rooted in Pembrokeshire, celebrating outstanding local produce, bold flavours and a strong sense of place. The name “Blas”, meaning “taste” in Welsh, reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of thoughtful, ingredient-led cooking inspired by land and sea.

Business

Wind turbine blade convoy rolls through Pembroke Dock to Waterston

Published

16 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police escort guides huge component to Dragon LNG site as renewable upgrade continues

PEMBROKESHIRE residents were treated to an unusual sight on Monday (Jan 19) as a massive wind turbine blade was transported through Pembroke Dock under police escort.

The blade — stretching the length of a passenger aircraft wing — was carried on a specialist extendable trailer and moved slowly through the town before continuing towards the Dragon LNG site.

Footage shared online by Hidden Pembrokeshire – Gareth Davies Photography showed officers stopping traffic at junctions and roundabouts to allow the abnormal load to pass safely, with spotters walking alongside to guide the driver through tight bends and narrow sections of road.

Onlookers said the scale of the blade was striking up close, and many stopped to film the carefully managed convoy as it made its way along the route.

The delivery is part of ongoing works linked to new wind turbines being installed next to the Dragon LNG terminal, aimed at generating cleaner electricity for the site and helping to cut emissions in Pembrokeshire.

Further movements of turbine components are expected as the project continues.