MILFORD HAVEN’S popular pub and restaurant, The Vibe, is reopening under new management on Monday (Mar 10), bringing a fresh start to Charles Street’s hospitality scene.

The new team behind The Vibe has worked around the clock to transform the venue in just six days, ensuring it is ready to welcome customers once again. The revamped pub and restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with extended opening hours throughout the week.

The new owner, who has taken on the venture as their first business, expressed gratitude to Sharon Matthews, chef at The Bull Inn in Haverfordwest, and owners Randy and Lori Bennett, whose support made the reopening possible.

Speaking ahead of the launch, they said: “We have had some of the best lads working day and night—there’s been sweat, tears, laughter, and even a few arguments! But we pulled it off and can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”

They also paid tribute to former owner Kerryanne, promising to maintain the pub’s name and spirit: “One thing I promised Kerryanne was to keep the name, and that will remain. We just want to give it back the love she had for the place.”

The Vibe’s new opening hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
• Saturday: 9:00am – 12:30am
• Sunday: 10:00am – 11:00pm
• Breakfast: 9:00am – 11:00am
• Lunch: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Dinner: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

With a new menu featuring fresh, homemade dishes—including a highly praised lasagne—The Vibe’s new owners are confident customers won’t be disappointed.

They added: “You won’t need a bank loan to be wined and dined here—we’re offering great food at affordable prices.”

The doors officially open at 9:00am on Monday (Mar 10) for breakfast, marking the beginning of a new chapter for The Vibe and Milford Haven’s dining scene.

RETAIL workers in Wales are facing increasing levels of abuse, threats, and violence, according to new figures released by the shop workers’ union, Usdaw. The latest survey, published on Tuesday (March 5), shows that incidents remain at double pre-pandemic levels, highlighting a growing crisis in the sector.

Usdaw’s survey of 540 Welsh retail staff found that in the past year:

• 73% have experienced verbal abuse (compared to a national average of 77%).
• 42% were threatened by a customer (53%).
• 7% were assaulted (10%).

Usdaw says retail crime is out of control and that workers are being left to face the consequences of lax enforcement.

‘They just laugh at us’

Workers shared shocking accounts of their experiences:

• “Refused sale of alcohol, told to ‘f**k off’ and threatened by five people that I’d get beaten up when my shift finished.”
• “Spat at, pushed against a wall. Punched and threatened with a knife.”
• “Been punched in the face, kicked under my chin and had stitches. Wrist sprained and products thrown at me, knocking me to the floor.”
• “Shoplifters just laugh in our faces as they leave with bags full of washing powder. They don’t care anymore because they know we can’t do anything.”

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Welsh retail workers are suffering far too many incidents of violence, abuse, and threats. No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are. It is shocking that over three-quarters of our members working in retail are being abused, threatened, and assaulted for simply doing their job and serving the community.”

Calls for action

Usdaw is backing new government measures to tackle retail crime, including the Crime and Policing Bill, currently going through Parliament. The union is pushing for the removal of the £200 minimum threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and the introduction of Respect Orders to protect retail workers.

The first debate and vote on the bill is scheduled for Monday (March 10).

Usdaw represents around 360,000 workers across the retail, transport, and manufacturing sectors. Its Freedom from Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence and abuse against shop workers by pressuring the government for tougher action.

THE SUDDEN closure of Oakwood Theme Park, Wales’ largest theme park, has sparked concerns about the financial sustainability of the country’s tourism industry, with business owners warning that increased National Insurance (NI) contributions could push more attractions to the brink.

Oakwood, a staple of Welsh tourism for nearly 40 years, announced its closure last week, citing “unrelenting economic challenges,” including rising operational costs, falling visitor numbers, and increased wage and tax burdens. The move has sent shockwaves through the tourism sector, with fears that other major attractions could suffer a similar fate.

Financial pressure mounting

Industry leaders have pointed to the recent increase in employer NI contributions as a significant factor exacerbating financial difficulties. Under the latest changes, the employer NI rate rose from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold for contributions was lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. These adjustments, which took effect in April 2025, have placed an additional estimated £1 billion burden on the UK’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, warned: “The scale of this change is unprecedented, bringing three-quarters of a million people into this employer tax for the first time. The impact will be enormous, forcing businesses to abandon investment, change recruitment plans, reduce headcounts, and increase prices to cope with these cost increases.”

Welsh attractions at risk

The concerns extend beyond Oakwood, with fears that other key Welsh attractions could struggle under the increased tax burden. Smaller family-run sites, seasonal tourism businesses, and even large-scale operations dependent on high visitor numbers may be particularly vulnerable.

Dominic Paul, CEO of Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn and other hospitality businesses, highlighted the disproportionate effect of rising NI costs: “These increases disproportionately affect part-time and minimum wage workers, which could hinder growth and employment opportunities across the sector.”

Giles Fuchs, owner of Burgh Island Hotel, echoed similar concerns: “The hospitality sector plays a crucial role in employment across the UK, contributing £93bn to the economy annually. The NI hike risks stifling growth at a critical time, putting thousands of jobs in jeopardy.”

Closure fears across Wales

The ripple effects of Oakwood’s closure are already being felt in Pembrokeshire, where local businesses reliant on visitor traffic are anticipating a sharp downturn. Local café owner Bethan Hughes said: “Oakwood brought thousands of visitors to the area every year. We’ve already seen bookings drop, and it’s worrying to think what could happen if other attractions close too.”

Meanwhile, the Welsh tourism board has called for urgent support measures to prevent further closures. A spokesperson said: “Tourism is one of Wales’ biggest economic drivers, and we need targeted relief to help businesses cope with these rising costs. Without action, we could see a major decline in the sector.”

Calls for Government intervention

With concerns mounting, industry figures are urging the government to reconsider its policies. UKHospitality and other business leaders are lobbying for a reversal of the NI increase or targeted tax relief for tourism businesses to mitigate the impact.

Nick White, CEO of Bistrot Pierre, which recently announced the closure of eight UK locations due to rising costs, warned: “If the government does not step in, we will see more closures, more job losses, and a damaged tourism industry that will take years to recover.”

As Wales braces for an uncertain tourism season, businesses, workers, and visitors alike are left wondering whether further attractions will follow Oakwood into closure—or if policymakers will step in to prevent an industry-wide crisis.