Business

First-class stamp price to rise to £1.80 despite Royal Mail delivery concerns

Published

2 months ago

March 6, 2026

Cost of posting letters has more than doubled in six years as service continues to miss targets

THE PRICE of a first-class stamp will rise to £1.80 from next month, as Royal Mail pushes ahead with another increase despite ongoing criticism of the postal service’s reliability.

From April 7, the cost of sending a first-class letter will increase by 10p, while the price of a second-class stamp will rise by 4p to 91p.

The latest rise means the cost of a first-class stamp has more than doubled in six years, increasing by 137% since 2020, following eight separate price hikes.

Second-class stamps have also risen sharply, with six increases during the same period.

Delivery targets repeatedly missed

The announcement comes as Royal Mail continues to face criticism for failing to meet its delivery performance targets.

Consumer group Citizens Advice said the price rise was difficult to justify while service standards remain poor.

Anne Pardoe, head of policy at Citizens Advice said: “More than half a decade has gone by since Royal Mail last met its delivery targets. For many people, sending important letters has become a gamble.

“People can’t be certain if essential documents, including medical appointments, will arrive on time.”

She warned that proposed changes to delivery schedules could worsen the situation.

“Higher prices must come with higher standards,” she said. “Ofcom should not simply approve these increases while service levels continue to fall.”

MPs raise concerns over postal delays

Royal Mail has also been summoned to appear before MPs after complaints about postal delays and reports that letters are sometimes delivered in batches rather than daily.

The last time the company met its annual first-class delivery target was in 2019–20.

Royal Mail cites rising costs

Royal Mail says the increases are necessary due to falling letter volumes and rising delivery costs.

Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail said: “We carefully consider price changes to balance affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.

“People are sending far fewer letters than they used to — around 70% fewer than twenty years ago — while the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million, bringing the total to 32 million across the UK.”

He added that the average UK adult now spends around £6.50 a year on stamps.

Changes to second-class service

Royal Mail is also pressing ahead with wider reforms to the postal service.

Last year, regulator Ofcom approved plans allowing the company to remove Saturday deliveries for second-class letters, replacing them with deliveries every other weekday.

The changes are currently being tested in 35 delivery offices across the UK.

Talks between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) about how the reforms should be rolled out ended without agreement earlier this week, though negotiations have been extended.

Royal Mail says changes to the universal service are needed to ensure the long-term future of the postal system.

Despite the price rises, the company argues that UK stamp prices remain below the European average, which it says is around £1.93 for first class and £1.56 for second class.

Business

Milford Haven Chinese restaurant bedsit scheme approved

Published

10 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AMENDED plans for a scheme to convert a vandalised former Pembrokeshire town centre Chinese restaurant to a flat and bedsits has been approved.

In an application recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of Grade-II-listed 20 Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven from the former Mandarin Restaurant to one flat and eight bedsits.

The application had previously been recommended for approval at the January meeting, but was deferred pending a site visit after member of the public Jessica Clarke raised concerns about the potential impact on her mother’s neighbouring property, with issues of height and massing, surface water discharge, and shared boundary walls.

The scheme, in the town’s conservation area, was before committee rather than delegated to officers as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to development plan policy.

A supporting statement said of the initial scheme: “The property has historically been in use as a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor with two flats on the upper floors of the building. The ground floor use of the building ceased some 10 years ago and currently lies vacant. Due to the lack of use of the building, it is in a very poor condition and has been the subject of unfortunate vandalism particularly to the interior of the building.”

It added: “The proposal would represent a high-quality and sympathetic conversion and extension of the building, and which would make a positive contribution to the locality and conservation area status.”

Speaking at the February meeting agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said, following the site visit, an alternative hip-roof as “a compromise” to lessen the impact on neighbours by reducing the £200,000 investment’s scale and bulk.

At that meeting, members backed a compromise delegation for final any approval going to a senior officer on condition the hip roof design could be formally agreed.

A report recommending approval of the amended scheme said concerns had been raised on those plans by two members of the public, raising concerns regarding amenity impacts, the scale and siting of the extension, the external staircase, alleged unauthorised works to the listed building and general concerns regarding process and property value.

The report added: “These matters have been considered in the context of the amended scheme. The issues raised do not introduce any new material planning considerations that would alter the assessment presented in the original committee report.

“The proposed amendments do not result in unacceptable impacts, and the overall planning balance remains unchanged.”

The application was conditionally approved.

Business

Tenby Loungers Lansio Lounge work done without permission

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A RETROSPECTIVE call for works associated with the new Loungers beachfront venue in Tenby has been given the go-ahead.

In an application approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Loungers UK Limited, through agent Richard Pedlar Architects, sought retrospective permission for new fascia signage, a new wall-mount menu board and a free-standing menu board at the new Loungers based at the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, Battery Road.

Back in January, UK-wide hospitality company Loungers plc announced it was planning to open a new beachfront Lansio Lounge at Tenby’s South Beach, with the promise of 30 jobs created, on March 25.

Lansio Lounge is based at the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Water’s Edge, South Beach.

The announcement for the Loungers plans for the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant were revealed shortly after the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Loungers signage at Salty’s.

Family-run venue Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant announced its closure on social media, confirming that Sunday, January 4 was its final day of trading.

An officer report recommending approval for the signage said the call for the retrospective installation and associated works “has attracted numerous third-party representations, primarily raising concerns in relation to potential light pollution and the colour treatment of the existing windows and doors”.

It went on to say consultation responses from relevant statutory consultees “confirm that the proposed halo illumination is acceptable and would not give rise to unacceptable levels of light pollution, nor would it adversely affect nearby designated sites or sensitive landscapes,” adding: “A planning condition has been attached, requiring the submission and approval of revised details to secure a more neutral colour finish for the external joinery and menu boards, to ensure an appropriate visual appearance in the context of the surrounding area.”

The application was conditionally approved by Park planners.

Business

Dragon LNG supports Neyland Heritage website launch

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

THE NEYLAND and Llanstadwell Heritage Group is pleased to acknowledge the support of Dragon LNG as a Founding Sponsor of its newly launched heritage website.

The website was officially launched at a special community event held at Neyland Hub on Wednesday, April 15, marking 170 years to the day since Isambard Kingdom Brunel brought the railway to Neyland in 1856.

As part of the evening, Dragon LNG presented a cheque in support of the project, recognising the importance of preserving and sharing the area’s rich local history.

The new website has been developed as a central and accessible resource to bring together research, stories, and historical material relating to Neyland and Llanstadwell. It is intended not only as a record of the past, but as a living resource that encourages community involvement and participation.

Carol Elliott, Chair of the Neyland and Llanstadwell Heritage Group, said: “We are extremely grateful to Dragon LNG for their generous support. Their contribution has helped make this website possible, ensuring that the history of Neyland and Llanstadwell can be preserved and shared with the community and with future generations.”

A spokesperson for Dragon LNG said: “Following a request from Gareth, a member of our Team, we are delighted to support the new Neyland Heritage Website, through our Staff Sponsorship programme, reflecting his valued involvement in the Neyland and Llanstadwell Heritage Group. We are proud to support initiatives that celebrate and preserve local heritage. This project reflects the strong sense of community in Neyland and Llanstadwell, and we are pleased to play a part in helping to make local history more accessible to all, particularly younger generations.”

Dragon LNG plays an important role within the local community, supporting a range of initiatives and organisations across Pembrokeshire. Their support for the heritage website reflects a continued commitment to community engagement and the promotion of local identity.

The Neyland and Llanstadwell Heritage Group hopes the website will become a lasting resource for residents, visitors, and schools, while also encouraging wider participation from the community in recording and sharing its history.

The new website can be viewed at: https://www.neylandhistory.org.uk/