Business

Rates shock fears reach the Senedd as 100+ west Wales firms back Kurtz briefing

Published

47 seconds ago

January 21, 2026

BUSINESS rates fears in west Wales reached the Senedd this week after Samuel Kurtz MS warned that hospitality and tourism firms could face “irreversible damage” unless ministers rethink the approach to the 2026 revaluation.

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (Jan 20), the Conservative MS said he and Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies would be hosting a business briefing for “over 100 businesses from across west Wales” who were “worried, frustrated and angry” about looming increases.

He told the Senedd one local hotel faced its rates bill rising from “£10,000 to £33,000” — an increase of “230 per cent” — and urged the First Minister to “change course on this immediately, before irreversible damage is done to the hospitality sector”.

***Feeling the pinch: Many hospitality businesses say that the huge hike in business rates will but them under***

The intervention is the clearest sign yet that concern over steep projected increases — particularly among hotels, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions — is turning into an organised campaign, with businesses swapping draft figures and warning of closures and job losses if the biggest rises go ahead.

***Eluned Morgan: It is wrong to claim that we have not supported hospitality***

Responding, First Minister Eluned Morgan defended the Welsh Government’s record of support for the sector.

She said: “It is wrong to claim that we have not supported hospitality. We have spent over £1 billion since 2020 on business rate support for retail, leisure and hospitality.”

She added: “After April, at least half of pubs will get help with rates and a quarter will pay no rates at all.”

The First Minister also signalled that she could not commit to matching decisions made in England until the Welsh Government had full detail of what was being offered there and what funding consequentials might follow for Wales.

Pembrokeshire concerns fed into wider backlash

In Pembrokeshire, the issue first gained traction after county councillor Huw Murphy raised alarm about the scale of increases some firms were seeing in draft figures ahead of April 2026.

Since then, local businesses have reported proposed rises well into three figures in percentage terms — often in areas where footfall and seasonal trade are already fragile — with owners warning that higher overheads will squeeze budgets for staffing, maintenance and investment.

While some premises are expected to benefit from reductions, the sharpest increases appear concentrated in parts of the visitor economy, where rateable values can rise quickly in line with market evidence and local demand.

Mr Kurtz’s briefing is expected to focus on how the new figures are calculated, what scope there is for appeals, and what further relief—if any—might be needed for firms facing the largest jumps.

With attendance already said to be over 100, the meeting is also likely to act as a barometer of how far concern has spread across west Wales—and whether pressure will build on ministers to revisit support for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses ahead of April.

For many firms, the rates issue is landing alongside wider cost pressures, with business groups warning that even a small number of forced closures could ripple outward—reducing local employment, weakening town centres and undermining the rural tourism offer.

What is the 2026 revaluation?

NON-domestic rates are calculated using a property’s “rateable value”, which is reassessed periodically in a revaluation.

The new values linked to the 2026 revaluation are due to take effect from April 2026, meaning some businesses will see bills rise while others fall.

If a business believes its valuation is inaccurate, it can challenge it through the Valuation Office Agency process, but firms are being urged to act early and gather evidence—such as comparable rents, trading impacts and property details—before formal deadlines.

Reliefs can also apply, including small business relief and sector-specific support, depending on the size and type of premises.

Business

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

Published

8 hours 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

22 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

24 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.