Business

Drakeford urged to follow England’s lead as Welsh businesses face closures

Published

2 months ago

January 9, 2026

A SENIOR Welsh Conservative has urged the Welsh Government to rethink its approach to business rates, warning that rising bills are pushing some firms in west Wales to the brink of closure.

Samuel Kurtz MS has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, calling on ministers to consider following England’s apparent change of direction on business rates after reports that the UK Labour Government is preparing to reverse proposed increases south of the border.

In his letter, Mr Kurtz says businesses across Pembrokeshire and west Wales are already feeling the effects of higher rateable values, combined with rising costs and falling footfall. He claims a number of firms closed over the Christmas period, with some owners describing business rate increases as “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Mr Kurtz, the Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said business rates were not experienced as a “technical or neutral exercise” by those affected.

“Businesses experience it as higher bills landing on their doormats at a time when overheads are rising and footfall is falling,” he said. “When we are seeing pubs, cafés and shops closing over Christmas, it is clear that the system is not working for the communities it is supposed to serve.”

He has asked whether the Welsh Labour Government intends to reconsider increases to business rates in light of developments in England, and what action is being taken to support firms facing sharp rises that could render otherwise viable businesses unprofitable.

Mr Kurtz also argues that existing reliefs and protections do not adequately reflect conditions on the ground, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that fall just outside eligibility thresholds.

“Warm words and reassurances about fairness do not pay the bills,” he added. “What businesses want to know is whether the Welsh Government is prepared to listen, to act, and to prevent more closures on our high streets and in our town centres.”

In response to growing concern, Mr Kurtz and Paul Davies MS are due to host an online meeting on Monday (Jan 26) at 10:30am for businesses across west Wales. The session will focus on the impact of rising rateable values on hospitality, tourism and town-centre firms, and will give business owners the opportunity to share their experiences directly.

The meeting forms part of wider efforts to press for longer-term reform of the non-domestic rates system in Wales, including calls for a freeze or further reduction in the multiplier, broader eligibility for relief, and greater recognition of the pressures facing rural and coastal economies.

Responding to the concerns, a Welsh Government spokesperson said business rates in Wales are devolved and that ministers have already provided targeted support to smaller firms.

They said: “We recognise the pressures facing businesses and have invested more than £1 billion in business rates support since the pandemic. Wales continues to offer one of the most generous packages of relief in the UK, with the majority of small businesses paying no business rates at all.

“We keep the non-domestic rates system under review and will continue to engage with businesses and representative bodies to ensure support is targeted where it is needed most.”

Mr Kurtz, however, warned that without a change of course, further closures were inevitable.

“Unless the Welsh Government acts,” he said, “we will continue to see businesses close, jobs lost and communities hollowed out.”

Business

Sheriff’s Biltong named as Finalist in Wales Food and Drink Awards 2026

Published

2 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SHERIFF’S BILTONG, the award-winning Welsh snack brand co-founded by former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Ken Owens and West Wales food producer Ruth Davies, has been named as a finalist in the prestigious Wales Food and Drink Awards 2026, in the category of Farm to Fork Producer of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual.

The nomination recognises Sheriff’s Biltong’s unwavering commitment to sourcing, producing and celebrating the very best of Welsh food. Made exclusively with PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Welsh beef, the highest standard of provenance for Welsh red meat, and crafted using only minimal natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives. Every bag provides 16 grams of protein and tells a story that begins on Welsh farms and ends on the shelves of some of Wales’ most iconic locations and biggest retailers, from Cardiff Airport and the Snowdon Summit Café to over 50 Tesco Superstores and Extra stores across the nation.

The brand’s journey began when long-time friends Ken Owens and Ruth Davies struck up a conversation over the garden wall. Ruth, who has more than 15 years of experience in the food industry and learnt traditional curing techniques in Italy, was looking to diversify the charcuterie business she ran with her husband Andrew. Ken, already a loyal customer, became involved in developing the product from the ground up, not just lending his name, but helping shape the product itself.

Since launching, Sheriff’s Biltong has gone from strength to strength, securing a major Tesco listing, attending the Gulfood sourcing event in Dubai, and now earning recognition at one of Wales’ most respected food and drink industry events.

Ruth Davies, co-founder of Sheriff’s Biltong, said: “We started Sheriff’s Biltong because we believed Wales had something truly special to offer, world-class beef and a genuine pride in our food heritage. To be recognised by the Wales Food and Drink Awards in the Farm to Fork category means everything to us.”

Ken Owens, co-founder, said: “I’ve always been proud to be Welsh and proud of what Welsh farming stands for. Sheriff’s Biltong was built on those values, honest ingredients and nothing unnecessary. Being shortlisted for this award is a huge honour and shows that when you back Welsh produce wholeheartedly, people notice.”

The Farm to Fork category, sponsored by NFU Mutual, specifically celebrates producers who demonstrate a transparent and traceable journey from field to finished product, values that sit at the very heart of the Sheriff’s Biltong story.

The winners of the Wales Food and Drink Awards will be announced at a black-tie ceremony hosted at the Swansea Building Society Arena, Swansea, on 16th April 2026.

Business

Local Senedd member hears retailer concerns ahead of election

Published

7 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

INDEPENDENT shop owners in Pembrokeshire have warned that rising costs and increasing pressures could threaten the future of small high-street businesses, during a meeting with local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz.

Senior members of the Federation of Independent Retailers met the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS on Friday (Feb 20) at a Tenby store run by Vince and Fiona Malone.

The couple, who expanded their retail and Post Office business from three staff in 2014 to fourteen employees today, said they were now facing significant financial pressures. These include rising business rates expected to take effect in April, higher employer National Insurance contributions, and above-inflation increases to the National Living Wage.

The meeting also covered the Federation’s manifesto for the upcoming Senedd elections in May, which calls for action to tackle retail crime, reduce cost burdens on small businesses, and ensure the proposed Deposit Return Scheme for recycling is cost-neutral and aligned with the rest of the UK.

Samuel Kurtz MS, who has represented the area since 2021, is standing in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency at the election, which will see the Senedd expand from 60 to 96 members under a new proportional representation system.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Kurtz said he valued the opportunity to hear directly from retailers about the challenges they face, adding that their experience would help inform political discussions ahead of the election.

Vince Malone said the Federation had written to all candidates standing in the new constituency and looked forward to meeting representatives from other political parties in the coming weeks.

Business

Ryanair launches Summer 2026 schedule from Cardiff with fares from £29.99

Published

1 day ago

February 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RYANAIR has announced its Summer 2026 schedule from Cardiff Airport, offering five routes including popular holiday destinations Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife, as well as the city break favourite Dublin.

The low-cost airline said it will increase frequencies on four routes — Alicante, Dublin, Faro and Malaga — giving Welsh passengers more travel options and improved connectivity throughout the summer season.

Flights are now available to book via the Ryanair app, with fares starting from £29.99.

Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan said: “Ryanair is pleased to launch our Summer 2026 schedule at Cardiff, offering five routes with extra frequencies on four of these routes, including holiday hotspots like Alicante, Faro and Malaga, as well as the top city break destination Dublin. This provides Welsh customers with even more low-fare choice and regular connections for their Summer 2026 getaways.”

Cardiff Airport Chief Executive Jon Bridge welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of the Dublin route in particular.

He said: “It’s great to see Ryanair strengthening its commitment to Cardiff Airport, with the Dublin service now operating daily throughout the summer and increasing to twice daily on selected days in October 2026. This is a hugely popular route, particularly for business travellers, providing a vital gateway between Ireland and Wales and strengthening economic ties between our Celtic nations.

“Alongside Dublin, we’re delighted to see Ryanair offering a strong portfolio of summer destinations from Cardiff, including Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife. These routes provide fantastic choice for Welsh travellers seeking a well-earned break, while also supporting tourism and connectivity.”

The airport said the expansion reflects continued demand for convenient low-cost travel from Wales.