NEW EQUIPMENT TO BOOST COASTAL CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST CHARITABLE TRUST has thanked the Blakemore Foundation for funding new litter-picking equipment to support beach cleaning efforts across the county.

The equipment will be used during regular beach cleans organised by the Trust, helping volunteers and business groups safely remove waste from some of Pembrokeshire’s most popular and environmentally important beaches.

The Trust said the donation would make a real difference to its coastal conservation work, particularly as more local businesses look for practical ways to support the environment.

Abi Marriot, Funding Officer for the Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Blakemore Foundation for their support. Their contribution enables us to equip participants properly, making every clean more impactful. It’s a real boost for our coastal conservation efforts.

“Our recent business-led beach cleans have proved popular, offering teams a refreshing break from the office, a chance to work together in a different environment, and a meaningful way to demonstrate their organisation’s commitment to sustainability.

“Many companies tell us that taking part strengthens team bonds while contributing to visible, positive environmental action.”

The new kit will be used at the next Pembrokeshire Business Big Beach Clean, which will take place at Freshwater West on Thursday, June 4, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

The event will give local businesses the chance to work together, connect with other organisations, and help protect one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic stretches of coastline.

The Trust is also welcoming suggestions for future autumn clean-up locations as it plans its next focus areas.

Booking for the Freshwater West event is essential. Businesses wishing to take part can reserve a place by contacting Abi at [email protected] or calling 07773 788196.

NEW LIVE VENUE TO OPEN THIS FRIDAY

A NEW live music venue is set to open its doors in Milford Haven this Friday (May 1), promising an exciting mix of music, creativity and expertly crafted cocktails.

The Jam Cellar, created and run by South African drummer Chad Walton, aims to provide a welcoming space for musicians, performers and music lovers.

Inspired by his passion for live performance and innovative drinks, Mr Walton said he saw an opportunity to bring something fresh to the local scene — a venue where artists can meet, collaborate and perform.

The new venue will host a range of weekly events, including open mic nights every Wednesday, live entertainment on Fridays, and themed evenings on Saturdays.

With doors opening daily from 5:00pm, The Jam Cellar is hoping to become a lively new hub for Milford Haven’s evening and music scene.

Guests are encouraged to follow The Jam Cellar’s social media pages to stay up to date with upcoming gigs, special events and announcements as the venue begins its journey in the town.

ALMOST half of Welsh voters blame national or local government when a pub closes, new research has found.

Polling carried out for the Long Live the Local campaign by More in Common found that 48% of people in Wales hold government policy partly responsible when a local pub shuts its doors.

Campaigners say the findings should act as a warning to politicians ahead of the Senedd election, with voters calling for greater support for pubs and brewers.

The survey found that almost one-third of Welsh voters, 32%, believe the single most important action government could take to help the sector would be to make business rates fairer for pubs.

The figures also suggest voters feel their elected representatives are not doing enough. Only one-in-ten said their MP had spoken up for the pub sector, while just 6% said their MP had done enough to protect pubs in their constituency.

The results come despite recent support for pubs from the UK Government, with campaigners warning that many voters still believe not enough is being done to protect Britain’s locals.

According to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association, one pub a day is currently closing in England and Wales, while the UK has lost 2,000 pubs since 2020.

Industry leaders say pubs are under pressure from a combination of business rates, employment costs, energy bills, beer duty, VAT and wider inflation. However, ministers have previously pointed to support measures for hospitality businesses, including rates relief and changes announced in the Budget, while arguing that difficult decisions must be balanced against wider public spending pressures.

Changing consumer habits, the cost-of-living crisis, and the long-term impact of the pandemic have also affected many pubs, particularly in rural and town-centre communities where footfall has not fully recovered.

‘Soul of the community’

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Welsh Beer and Pub Association, said: “Despite recent important support from the Government and the many MPs across all political parties that champion pubs and brewers, voters clearly believe that there is still more to be done.

“Pubs are the soul of the community, create jobs, and, with a quarter of a million people joining our Long Live the Local campaign that supports the people behind the pint, including thousands in Wales, it’s no wonder people care about them so much.

“What the public want is a fair tax system for pubs, one that keeps businesses competitive and recognises their unique role as valuable spaces for communities across the country.

“With the Senedd election right around the corner, it’s key for candidates to recognise just how important pubs are for so many and to back their local.

“We’re calling on both the UK and Welsh governments to continue to work with us and deliver permanent business rates reform, lower employment costs, cut beer duty and VAT to save countless locals who are burdened with huge regulatory costs.”

‘Public really care’

Luke Tryl, executive director at More in Common, said the polling showed the strength of public concern over pub closures.

He said: “One thing comes through really strongly in this polling, the British public really care about pubs, they think they are a central part of their community and they don’t think the Government is doing enough to protect them.

“In fact, over half of British voters blame national or local government for pub closures and want to see politicians at all levels doing more to stand up for them.

“At a time when the Government already finds itself struggling with a restless electorate, a wave of further pub closures will only reinforce the frustration that those in charge are unable or unwilling to deliver for local communities across Britain.

“On the flipside, taking action on issues like rates is one way the Government can show that it gets it, recognises the value of pubs and gets the public back onside.”

The Welsh Beer and Pub Association’s Long Live the Local campaign launched in 2018 to raise awareness of the UK’s rate of pub closures. It now has more than 250,000 supporters across the country.

The campaign says almost 40,000 letters were sent to MPs last year alone as part of efforts to raise concerns about the pressure facing pubs.

More in Common’s polling, commissioned by the British Beer and Pub Association, was conducted between March 28 and March 30, 2026, and sampled 2,003 adults across Great Britain. Respondents were weighted according to age, sex, region, ethnicity, 2024 General Election vote and education level.