Narberth favourite retains title after overwhelming public support

THE IVY BUSH Inn has been crowned Best Local Pub 2026, retaining its title after receiving an overwhelming show of support from the community.

The popular Narberth venue dominated this year’s competition, attracting more than 150 nominations—far surpassing all other entrants and cementing its place at the heart of local life.

The annual competition, organised by Conservative Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz MS and supported by Templeton Beer Wine and Spirit Co, celebrates the vital role pubs play across Pembrokeshire. Now in its second year, the initiative highlights how pubs continue to bring communities together.

More than 1,000 nominations were submitted by the public this year, with over 70 pubs across the county taking part.

In second place was the Highgate Inn in Hundleton, followed by the Watermans Arms in Pembroke, both praised for their strong community focus and welcoming atmosphere.

Other highly commended venues included The Bunker, The Cross Saws and The Cresselly Arms, showcasing the strength and diversity of Pembrokeshire’s pub scene.

The Ivy Bush Inn was presented with a free keg of beer and a winner’s certificate on Tuesday (Mar 31).

Voters were quick to praise the Narberth pub for its atmosphere and inclusivity.

“It’s the heart of Narberth—always something going on and everyone is welcome,” said one.

Another added: “From the moment you walk in, you feel like family,” while others described it as having a “brilliant atmosphere, great staff and the best nights out around.”

The strength of feeling extended across the competition, with many highlighting the wider role pubs play in their communities.

“Not just a pub—it’s the hub of the village,” one voter said of the Highgate Inn, while the Watermans Arms was described as “a place where everyone feels welcome and supported.”

The Cresselly Arms also received praise, with one nomination stating: “Always a warm welcome from Steve and his staff in this unspoilt, special pub.”

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “This competition has once again shown just how important our local pubs are to communities across Pembrokeshire. The response has been incredible.

“The Ivy Bush Inn’s level of support was exceptional and a testament to the role it plays in Narberth. But every single pub nominated should be proud. They are the backbone of our communities, and the comments about each establishment have been a joy to read.”

Jason Vaughan, owner of The Ivy Bush Inn, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win again. This means so much because it comes directly from our customers and community. Thank you to everyone who voted—we’re incredibly grateful for your support.”

Lyndon Belt of Templeton Beer Wine and Spirit Co said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people getting behind their local pubs. They are such an important part of our communities and deserve to be recognised.”

WELSH food and drink has been promoted to thousands of international buyers in Japan — but producers in Pembrokeshire appear to have been left out of the spotlight.

A Welsh Government-backed delegation travelled to Foodex Japan 2026 in Tokyo, one of the largest food and drink exhibitions in Asia, attracting more than 70,000 industry professionals.

The event is designed to open doors to lucrative export markets, with Welsh Lamb, craft spirits and speciality foods presented as premium products for overseas buyers.

But despite Pembrokeshire’s strong agricultural base, seafood industry and growing reputation for artisan produce, no businesses from the county were among those showcased.

Global push — local absence

The delegation included Hybu Cig Cymru and Golden Road Gin, alongside a number of established Welsh brands and Japanese importers already working with Welsh suppliers.

While PGI Welsh Lamb — much of it produced in West Wales — was a central feature, the absence of Pembrokeshire-based producers raises questions about who is actually benefiting from the push into global markets.

For many local farmers, export growth is often presented as essential to the future of the industry. Yet access to those opportunities remains uneven, with smaller producers frequently lacking the scale or support to break into international supply chains.

Big talk, familiar questions

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS praised the showcase, saying Wales had an “exceptional food and drink story to tell” and highlighting the importance of building international partnerships.

But on the ground in Pembrokeshire, producers continue to face mounting pressures — from rising costs and labour shortages to ongoing uncertainty around agricultural policy.

The Herald understands that while export events generate headlines, many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to translate that exposure into actual contracts.

Missed opportunity for West Wales?

The Japanese market is known for its demand for high-quality, traceable food — exactly the kind of produce Pembrokeshire is well placed to supply.

From lamb and dairy to seafood landed at Milford Haven, the county has the raw ingredients to compete on the global stage.

However, without stronger support to help local businesses access export networks, there is a growing risk that the benefits of international promotion will remain concentrated among a relatively small group of producers.

The real test

Events like Foodex Japan may boost Wales’ profile overseas — but the real measure of success will be whether that translates into meaningful opportunities for communities at home.

For Pembrokeshire’s farmers and food producers, the question is no longer whether Welsh food can succeed globally.

It is whether they will be given a seat at the table.

THE CONSTRUCTION sector in Wales is entering 2026 with cautious optimism, supported by continued public sector investment and a pipeline of major infrastructure and energy projects, according to a new report.

Analysis by Rider Levett Bucknall suggests that long-term commitments to energy transition, digital infrastructure and transport upgrades are helping to stabilise the market, despite ongoing global uncertainty.

Major projects highlighted in the report include the proposed Wylfa small modular reactor, the green industrial transition at Port Talbot, and the development of AI Growth Zones. These schemes are expected to create significant opportunities for contractors across Wales, particularly in infrastructure and energy resilience.

However, the report warns that short-term challenges remain. Global pressures, including instability in the Middle East, continue to create uncertainty, while longstanding domestic issues such as planning delays are still affecting progress.

Daniel Walker, an associate at the consultancy based in Cardiff, said that while activity levels remain steady, structural barriers are slowing delivery.

He said: “Across Wales, on-site construction activity remains steady, with visible progress across major centres including Cardiff, Swansea and several valley towns. However, structural challenges remain. Planning delays, particularly those linked to sustainable drainage system approvals, continue to slow early-stage progress on both private and public sector schemes.

“Despite this, and wider geopolitical uncertainty, the market has seen a slight increase in project starts over the past quarter.”

Public sector spending continues to underpin much of the activity. The report notes that devolved fiscal powers have unlocked an additional £505 million for infrastructure and local development, supporting projects in education, healthcare and transport.

Wales is also emerging as a growing hub for digital and energy infrastructure. Investment in data centres is ongoing, while preparatory work linked to Wylfa and the decarbonisation of steel production at Port Talbot is expected to drive demand for construction in the coming years.

Infrastructure remains one of the strongest-performing sectors, supported by transport upgrades and early work associated with the proposed Crossrail Cymru programme. Industrial and energy-related construction is also expanding as Wales accelerates its shift towards low-carbon industries.

In contrast, the high-end residential market has softened, although affordable housing and build-to-rent developments continue to perform more strongly.

The consultancy is currently involved in the Cowbridge Road East scheme in Cardiff, a project aimed at delivering affordable and sustainable housing. It said work is ongoing to ensure the scheme remains viable while helping meet demand for new homes.

The report concludes that, despite ongoing challenges, the combination of public investment, energy transition projects and digital growth places the Welsh construction sector on a broadly positive footing for 2026 and beyond.

Tender price inflation is forecast to remain stable, with a projected rate of 3.4% in Wales for 2026, slightly below the UK average of 3.45%.