Strategy promises investment, skilled jobs and new supply chains, but major barriers remain over grid connections, planning and delivery

THE CELTIC FREEPORT has published a new five-year strategy setting out how Milford Haven and Port Talbot will be used to attract major investment, create jobs and build a new low-carbon industrial economy across South and West Wales.

The plan, published today, Monday (Jun 15), says the Freeport will focus on renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, port infrastructure, floating offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, carbon capture, cleaner steel and low-carbon logistics.

For Pembrokeshire, the strategy places Milford Haven at the heart of plans to modernise port infrastructure, support future energy projects and create new employment and training opportunities for local people.

The Celtic Freeport spans sites in Milford Haven and Port Talbot and is backed by a public-private partnership involving Associated British Ports, Camplas, Dragon LNG, Impala, Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, Neath Port Talbot Council, the Port of Milford Haven, RWE and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Over a 25-year period, the Freeport is projected to deliver more than £8bn of investment and create 11,500 jobs.

Focus on Milford Haven

The five-year strategy says the Freeport will help enable major port infrastructure upgrades to support the roll-out of floating offshore wind.

Milford Haven is already one of the UK’s most important energy ports, and the plan makes clear that the area is expected to play a major role in the transition from traditional energy industries to cleaner fuels and renewable power.

The document says the Freeport will work to attract investment into key sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen, solar, batteries, sustainable aviation fuel, ammonia, pipelines, carbon capture and storage, and advanced manufacturing.

It also says the Freeport wants to create a stronger local supply chain so that businesses in Pembrokeshire and the wider region can benefit from major industrial development, rather than seeing work and contracts go elsewhere.

The strategy says one of the aims is to ensure local businesses and landowners are supported in accessing capital and external investment for land remediation, infrastructure upgrades and priority projects.

Jobs and skills

A major part of the plan focuses on skills, training and local employment.

The Freeport says it wants to create a “sustainable talent pipeline” where local people can see future job opportunities and receive support with upskilling, career advice and connections to employers.

The strategy says this will include work with schools, colleges, trade unions, local authorities and employers to identify future skills gaps and create employment pathways.

Pembrokeshire College is named among the education partners expected to help deliver workforce transition and future skills for both existing energy industries and new green energy sectors.

The plan also says the Freeport will look at ways to support economically inactive people into work and will consider using some funding to establish a community fund focused on projects that visibly benefit local people, including possible support for transport-related challenges.

Investment and infrastructure

The strategy sets out four main priorities for the next five years.

These are driving capital investment into key Freeport industries, helping landowners progress development projects, exploring local supply chain innovation and decarbonisation, and laying the foundations for a thriving skills market.

The Freeport says it will deliver a £25m seed capital programme by the end of 2028/29 and will prioritise at least two seed capital projects in 2026, subject to agreements on governance and funding.

Business cases for selected projects are expected to be prepared during 2026 before being considered by the Celtic Freeport board. If projects are no longer considered feasible, the strategy says a reallocation process will be required.

The Freeport also plans to build a pipeline of future investment projects using retained non-domestic rates, with revenues expected to begin flowing back from 2028.

The document says business development and marketing will be used to attract high-value tenants to priority sites, including through international investment campaigns and sector-specific proposals.

Planning and grid issues

The plan acknowledges that major development is not straightforward.

It says businesses face challenges including grid connection issues, planning delays, policy uncertainty and the high upfront cost of infrastructure.

To tackle this, the Freeport says it will work with the UK and Welsh Governments, Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and public investment bodies to remove barriers and unlock private investment.

It will also hold monthly meetings with landowners to monitor progress, identify delivery problems and escalate strategic risks where necessary.

Governance and public accountability

The strategy also sets out plans to expand the Freeport’s governance arrangements.

The current board includes representatives from Milford Haven Port Authority, Associated British Ports, Pembrokeshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council.

The Freeport says this structure will be expanded to include non-executive directors and representatives from key landowners and business operators.

The plan also includes commitments to publish board schedules and minutes, hold one public board meeting each year, organise an annual community open day, run skills and employment sessions in schools, and hold local job fairs and apprenticeship roadshows as opportunities grow.

Trade unions are also expected to have a formal route into the process through a workers’ consultative forum, with the strategy saying unions will help inform skills interventions, fair work principles and employment priorities.

Cathy Hall, Interim CEO of the Celtic Freeport, said: “This Five-Year Plan sets out how the Celtic Freeport will support businesses across the region to decarbonise, grow and access new opportunities.

“We will be focussing on delivering projects to consolidate the region’s strong industrial future.”

The publication of the plan marks an important moment for Pembrokeshire, where hopes of long-term industrial renewal are closely tied to Milford Haven’s role in energy, ports and marine engineering.

Supporters say the Freeport could bring major investment and skilled jobs to the county.

But the success of the plan will depend on whether the promised benefits are felt locally, whether Pembrokeshire firms can win work from the new supply chains, and whether young people in the county are given a realistic route into the jobs created by the green industrial transition.

A HAVERFORDWEST opticians has launched a specialist clinic for dry eye disease, offering new support for people living with the common condition.

Specsavers Haverfordwest has introduced its Advanced Dry Eye Clinic to give customers access to in-depth diagnosis and targeted treatment for dry eye.

Dry eye is a common, but often misunderstood, condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, irritation and sometimes blurred vision.

It can be linked to a range of factors, including increased screen use, contact lens wear, ageing and environmental conditions. As many as one in three people suffer from dry eye and most causes can be treated.

Many people are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye, as the eyes produce poor-quality reflex tears in response to irritation. The new service provides an in-depth approach to diagnosing and managing the condition.

While many high street opticians now offer dry eye clinics, Specsavers Haverfordwest provides a wider range of specialist treatments and technology that are not commonly available.

Using advanced imaging to assess the eyes and tear glands, the team can identify the underlying cause of symptoms and create a personalised treatment plan for each customer.

Whilst there are a range of different treatments available, the major investment has been in the introduction of eye-light devices, bringing advanced IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) treatments to customers suffering from dry eye symptoms.

Designed to target the underlying causes of dry eye disease, the eye-light device combines clinically proven light-based therapies to help improve tear quality, reduce inflammation, and restore eye comfort. The treatment is safe, non-invasive, and suitable for many patients experiencing irritation, burning, watery eyes or discomfort linked to screen use and modern lifestyles.

The clinic also supports contact lens wearers experiencing discomfort, helping them return to comfortable, everyday use.

Some of the first customers to use the clinic have already noticed improvements in their symptoms.

Danielle Thomas says: ‘I honestly can’t believe the difference. I’d been struggling with sore, gritty eyes for years and had given up wearing my contact lenses altogether – they just became too uncomfortable. I was constantly using drops with very little relief.

‘From the moment I walked into the dry eye treatment room, it felt completely different to a normal appointment. The environment is calm, almost spa-like and the whole experience was surprisingly relaxing. The treatments were comfortable and the team explained everything so clearly. After just three sessions the improvement was notable – my eyes feel normal again.

‘The constant irritation and watering have gone and I’m now back in contact lenses comfortably, which I never thought would be possible. It’s genuinely been life changing. I wish I’d known about it sooner.’

Wayne Jones, optometrist and retail director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, adds: ‘Dry eye is something we see very frequently, yet it’s still widely dismissed as a minor irritation. In reality, it can have a real impact on comfort, vision and overall quality of life.

‘What many people don’t realise is that, in many cases, there is an underlying cause that can be identified and treated.

‘By launching this clinic, we’re able to offer a much more detailed and personalised level of care here in West Wales, helping us support more customers locally. We would encourage anyone experiencing persistent symptoms such as dryness, irritation or blurred vision to have their eyes checked, as there’s often a treatable cause.’

People interested in using the clinic should call Specsavers Haverfordwest on 01437 767788 to book an initial assessment and discuss treatment options.

Founder Kayleigh Salmon thanks loyal customers after building beloved bakery from home kitchen at just 17

A MUCH-LOVED Pembrokeshire cake business has closed its doors after an emotional final day that left customers, friends and supporters sharing messages of thanks and sadness.

St Davids Cake Co announced the end of an era this week, with founder Kayleigh Salmon thanking the local community that helped turn a teenage dream into a successful small business.

In an emotional social media post, Kayleigh said she was overwhelmed by the support shown during the final day of trading.

She wrote: “Just WOW, honestly today was absolutely amazing.

“I can’t believe this amazing small community we built from starting in my home kitchen at the age of 17.

“I never believed little me could achieve this.”

Photos shared by the business showed bouquets of flowers, cards, gifts and a bottle of fizz from well-wishers, while friends gathered in the shop for a heartfelt send-off.

Kayleigh paid tribute to her close friend Ells, who supported her both during childhood and throughout the business journey.

She said: “I just want to thank my great friend Ells, for all the help, support and encouragement over the last 10 years.

“For her to help me so many years later in my shop it was a real pleasure to have her alongside me for our final day. I’m forever grateful for our friendship.”

The closure prompted an outpouring of affection from customers, many describing the bakery as a treasured part of visits to St Davids.

Jenny Pearson said: “Really going to miss your fabulous cakes. Even though I’m gluten intolerant and shouldn’t have eaten them, they were well worth it.”

Bethan Mayer wrote: “Gutted I couldn’t get to you, will miss your cookies.”

Another customer, Sara Hawkridge, described the bakery’s treats as “the BEST”, adding: “You should be very proud.”

Others wished Kayleigh luck for “whatever you do next”, with many encouraging her to enjoy some well-earned time off after years of hard work.

While the closure marks the end of St Davids Cake Co, the reaction online suggests Kayleigh’s cakes — and the community she built around them — will not be forgotten anytime soon.