PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED Ascona Group has completed the acquisition of Truckhaven (Carnforth) Ltd, a major trunk road services area in Lancashire.

The deal expands Ascona’s national portfolio to 70 sites and strengthens the group’s position in the UK roadside retail and services sector.

Truckhaven is located at Junction 35 of the M6 and has long been regarded as an important stopping point for the commercial transport industry and travelling public.

The 17-acre site includes an Esso-branded filling station, a detached 24-hour forecourt retail shop, overnight parking for 245 lorries, and an amenity building with a restaurant, showers, retail shop, licensed bar and launderette.

The site also includes a 26-bedroom en-suite hotel, providing accommodation and respite for drivers and other customers.

Darren Briggs, founder and CEO of Ascona Group, said: “We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Truckhaven.

“This is an exciting addition to our growing portfolio and reflects our confidence in the long-term opportunities within the UK roadside services market.

“Our ambition is to build on Truckhaven’s strong reputation by investing in the site, enhancing the customer retail experience, and creating a first-class destination for drivers and visitors alike.

“We have ambitious plans for the site. We intend to improve the forecourt facilities with a brand-new retail shop offering, and for HGV drivers, a brand-new state-of-the-art truck wash in the coming months.”

Ascona Group has become one of the UK’s most acquisitive independent forecourt operators, with continued investment across fuel retail, convenience, food-to-go and roadside services.

The acquisition of Truckhaven further broadens the group’s presence in a strategically important part of the market.

Michael Jelley, of Stonplan, who originally developed the Truckhaven site at Carnforth in the early 1990s, said: “We are confident that Ascona are the right people to take the site forward as the industry develops.

“They inherit a robust business that has prioritised the provision of high-quality facilities for the haulage industry, along with an outstanding operational team.”

Ascona Group said it continues to evaluate further acquisition opportunities across the UK as it pursues its long-term vision of building one of the country’s leading independent roadside retail and services businesses.

Legal work was undertaken by Simmons & Simmons for Ascona Group and Keystone Law for Truckhaven (Carnforth) Ltd.

Report due in September on replacing appointments with ANPR and CCTV monitoring

A PLAN to remove the booking system at Pembrokeshire’s waste and recycling centres is set to be brought before Cabinet later this year.

Council Leader Cllr Tessa Hodgson has confirmed that it is the intention of her administration to scrap the current system, which requires residents to book before using the county’s waste and recycling centres.

She has asked Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, to work with officers on a report setting out the options for a new approach.

Cllr Hodgson said Pembrokeshire had a strong record on recycling, but added that the booking system remained a regular concern for local residents.

She said: “Pembrokeshire is consistently one of Wales’ best performing local authorities when it comes to waste and recycling, and I thank our staff and the people of Pembrokeshire for helping us continue to improve.

“However, the booking system is an issue that is raised with me time and time again by residents, and so removing the booking system is a priority for me and my administration.

“With modern technology such as number plate recognition and CCTV monitoring, I see no reason why we cannot ensure the sites are used appropriately and safely by council taxpayers, while minimising any unauthorised use, without the need for a booking system.”

Cllr Hodgson said the current arrangements could be “time-consuming and bureaucratic” and that the council should be able to protect the service while making it easier for residents to use.

She added: “I believe we can create a system that maintains high standards of waste disposal, provides value for money for taxpayers, and continues to maximise recycling, all without unnecessary bureaucracy.

“It is our administration’s intention that a report is brought to the September Cabinet meeting with a clear plan to remove the booking system from our waste and recycling centres.”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the council would look at a practical replacement which keeps sites safe and prevents misuse.

He said: “We know how important it is for residents to have straightforward, convenient access to their local waste and recycling centres, and I welcome this work to explore how we can make that happen.

“Our focus will be on developing a practical, modern approach that improves the experience for residents while maintaining safety, protecting the service from misuse, and continuing to deliver strong recycling performance for Pembrokeshire.

“I look forward to bringing forward proposals that strike the right balance for our communities.”

Any change would be subject to Cabinet considering the report and agreeing the next steps. The report is expected to go before members in September.

Awards will celebrate the best of the county’s visitor economy at black-tie gala in October

THE SHORTLIST has been announced for the 2026 Croeso Awards, celebrating the best of Pembrokeshire’s tourism and hospitality industry.

Organised by Visit Pembrokeshire, the awards return every two years and recognise businesses, organisations and individuals delivering outstanding visitor experiences across the county.

This year’s awards attracted 150 entries across 17 categories, with judges praising the quality of submissions from across Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy.

All entries were assessed anonymously by an independent panel of tourism experts from outside the county, to ensure a fair and impartial judging process.

The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala evening on Thursday, October 29, at Pembrokeshire College.

This year’s ceremony will include a special collaboration between The Celtic Collection and Pembrokeshire College, delivering a gourmet dining experience for guests.

Hospitality students from the college will play a leading role on the evening, working alongside chefs and hospitality professionals from The Celtic Collection. Organisers say the partnership will give students valuable real-world experience while showcasing the next generation of Welsh hospitality talent.

The Croeso Awards are supported by headline sponsor Pure West Radio, with The Celtic Collection also supporting the event as mentoring partner for Pembrokeshire College students.

Emma Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Pembrokeshire, said the response to this year’s awards had been “nothing short of outstanding”.

She said: “Receiving 150 entries across 17 categories reflects not only the strength of Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry, but the incredible passion, professionalism and innovation shown by businesses across the county.

“The quality of entries made the judging process exceptionally difficult, and I would like to congratulate every business that entered. Being shortlisted is a significant achievement in itself.

“These awards celebrate the people and businesses that make Pembrokeshire such a special place to visit, and we look forward to bringing the industry together in October to celebrate their success.”

Tickets for the awards evening are £80 plus VAT per person and include the dining experience and awards ceremony. Places can be booked by emailing [email protected].

Further information is available at www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/the-awards.

Croeso Awards 2026 shortlist

Sustainable and Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers
Fishguard Bay Welcome
Velfrey Vineyard
VIP Wales

Event of the Year
Torch Theatre, Sunset Cinema
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, The Launch of the Giant Trebuchet
Fforest, Feast Event

Hotel of the Year
Grove of Narberth
St Brides Spa Hotel
Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa

Caravan Park Award
Redford Caravan Park Ltd
The Greener Camping Club Sites of Pembrokeshire
Trees Caravan Park

B&B, Inn and Guesthouse Award
Roch Castle
Rwts Rooms and Resto
The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle

Pub of the Year
The Griffin
The Hope & Anchor, Tenby
The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle

Camping and Glamping Award
Florence Springs Glamping and Camping
Green Sheep Camping
Nights Under Canvas

Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award
Barti Rum Ltd
Farmers Food At Home
Llaeth Preseli Milk & Gelato
St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery

Dog Friendly Business Award
Landsker Paws
Musselwick Farm Cottages
Sleekstone Holidays

Attraction of the Year
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Heatherton World of Activities
Sweet Home Alpaca

Activity, Experience or Tours Award
Sweet Home Alpaca
Tenby Adventure
Tenby’s Great Escape

Bro a Byd, Environmental and Sustainability Award
Fforest
Greener Camping Club
St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery
Sweet Home Alpaca

Place to Eat Award
Lan y Môr
Pembrokeshire Seaweeds Ltd / The Really Wild Emporium
Stoked at Wild Lakes
The Cliff Restaurant, St Brides Spa Hotel

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust
Red Onion Garden Café
The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust for Disabled Children

Self-Catering 1-3 Units Award
1 Edge House
Plas Pantyderi Manor
Quarrywood Glamping Ltd
Sleekstone Holidays
The Long Barn

Self-Catering 4+ Units Award
Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages
Florence Springs Luxury Lodges
Musselwick Farm Cottages
Washfield Cottages

Rising Star Award
Grove of Narberth, Ffion Howells
Sweet Home Alpaca, Angela Frayling-James
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Matt Small
The Angel, Narberth, Louise Morgan