THE CLOSURE of Oakwood Theme Park has sent shockwaves through the Welsh tourism industry, with fears mounting that it signals the start of a wider crisis for hospitality and tourism businesses across the country.

With over 20% of Pembrokeshire’s workforce employed in tourism and hospitality, the park’s sudden closure will not only impact its employees but have wider economic repercussions. Local businesses, from hotels and B&Bs to restaurants and attractions, are expected to feel the effects as visitor numbers decline.

A combination of decisions by both the Welsh and UK governments has led to mounting pressure on the sector. Increases in National Insurance, council tax premiums, the introduction of a 182-day minimum occupancy rule for holiday lets, and the proposed Welsh visitor levy (commonly referred to as a ‘tourist tax’) are all adding strain on businesses already struggling with rising costs.

Despite these concerns, First Minister Mark Drakeford MS recently denied in a Senedd finance committee evidence session that these policies were having a cumulative impact on tourism. However, industry leaders and local businesses argue otherwise, warning that the sector cannot withstand so many policy changes without long-term damage.

Tourism is worth an estimated £3.8 billion to the Welsh economy annually, providing employment in many areas where alternative job opportunities are scarce. Without sustainable policies that support the sector, local communities could see an exodus of workers forced to leave in search of employment elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the industry commented: “It is surely becoming obvious that a single sector cannot swallow so many changes without there being a cumulative – and wide-ranging – effect which will filter out to the whole economy. Many parts of Wales are reliant on tourism, and without it, communities will struggle to survive.”

Local MP Henry Tufnell also voiced his concerns about the closure, stating: “The closure of Oakwood Theme Park is incredibly disappointing news for Pembrokeshire. For over 30 years, it has been a much-loved attraction, bringing enjoyment to families across Wales and beyond, as well as supporting local jobs and the tourism industry.

My first thoughts are with the staff who have lost their jobs. This will be an extremely difficult time for them, and I urge Aspro Parks to provide as much support as possible.

Oakwood has been an iconic part of Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy, drawing tourists, creating employment, and contributing to local businesses that have relied on its success. Its closure will undoubtedly be felt across the community, and we must now focus on what comes next for the site and the people affected. The last thing Pembrokeshire needs is a derelict site that is sat empty for years.

I will be speaking with stakeholders to understand the full impact of this decision and what can be done to support those affected. If you need assistance, please do get in touch with my office.”

With Oakwood’s closure described as “just the tip of the iceberg,” concerns are growing that more tourism businesses across Wales could soon follow suit unless urgent action is taken to protect the industry.

A WAR of words has broken out over the setting of Pembrokeshire’s annual budget on Thursday, March 6, with three potential council tax increases ranging from 7.5 to 9.85 per cent on the table.

Last month, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed recommending a council tax increase of 9.85 per cent, with a special meeting due to decide that recommendation on February 20.

That meeting was deferred to March 6, in part awaiting the final Welsh government local government settlement, which saw the county gain a small amount of extra money, worth roughly an extra £500,000, reducing its funding gap to £26.9m.

With the council budget D-day looming, opposition groups the Independent group and the Conservative group have submitted their own proposals for the March 6 meeting, with the Independent Group proposing a 9.35 per cent increase and the Conservative group a 7.5 per cent one, achieved in part using a higher proportion of the second homes council tax premium for certain parts of the budget.

The Conservative group, in its proposals, has said it will increase the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year, along with greater savings from “reforming the leisure services in Pembrokeshire”.

The Conservative proposal says it would also see debt and interest payments reduced by disposing of unused and empty council buildings as well as a commitment to only proceed with projects relating to net zero if they have a clear financial benefit to the council.

Cllr Aled Thomas, the group spokesman for finance has said: “It’s clear from the proposals on the table that the Independent Group joint with the Labour leaning administration are happy to work together to see the continued managed decline of the council, rather than work hard for the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Every day this council asks for more money from residents and provides them less in return, that mindset has to stop, and a change is clearly needed.”

The conservative proposals also include addressing a claimed £2.5m deficit in council leisure services by partnering with a national leisure trust.

The Independent group, led by Cllr Huw Murphy, has reacted to the Conservative group statement issued to the press, saying the claims of collusion are “are misleading and inaccurate with no meetings, conversations or exchanges of emails,” adding: “It might disappoint Cllr Aled Thomas but the truth is rarely as exciting as a conspiracy theory.”

Its statement adds: “The Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey asked would we divulge our budget proposals and in the interest of residents this was provided. The Independent Group were informed that Cabinet had accepted our proposals. Councillors have a legal duty to pass a budget which Independent Group members take seriously.

“Subsequently it became known that the Conservatives intended to submit their own budget but some of their proposals were unacceptable to Independent Group members, such as cuts to Adult Social Services provision.

“Social Services is a department under significant pressure and needs investment not cuts and if a society discards its most vulnerable on the altar of political ideology to offer a lower council tax then the Independent Group will not put its name to it.”

The Independent Group statement also says the blame for the “managed decline of the council” was “in large part through insufficient funding from the Treasury between 2010 & 2024 under a Conservative Chancellor,” going on to criticise Welsh Labour in Cardiff for “providing insufficient funding to Pembrokeshire”.

It says the Conservative group proposals on education “fail to mention a reduction in early year’s pre-school education, which if implemented could cause PCC to fail in delivering a statutory function under the Childcare Act”.

On the leisure services proposals, the group says: “The Conservative Group propose the privatisation of Leisure Services but cannot provide detailed information on how this is will be achieved and the consequences if their proposal fails, which could result in job losses and loss of facilities.”

Responding, Cllr Aled Thomas said: “The Conservative budget proposal is bold and different, focussing on bolstering the authority’s statutory functions while pushing for greater efficiency in other more council functions such as leisure, regeneration and net zero.

“Councillors at Thursday’s [March 6] meeting have the opportunity to vote for meaningful change for the people of Pembrokeshire or stick with the same old status quo, and I know which one I’d rather.

“Cllr Huw Murphy and the Independent Group should spend less time trying to re-write history and doing political hit jobs on me and spend more time talking their residents, who will undoubtedly tell them how sick and tired they are with continued extortionate council tax rises to pay for things they do not want or is not a priority for them.”

FOUR people tragically lost their lives during a paddleboarding tour on the River Cleddau in October 2021, including Nicola Wheatley, 40, Morgan Rogers, 24, Paul O’Dwyer, 42, and Andrea Powell, 41.

The owner of the paddleboard company, Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, from Port Talbot, has pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter at Swansea Crown Court. The victims were part of a tour operated by Lloyd’s now-dissolved company, Salty Dog. Lloyd also admitted to one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The incident occurred on October 30, 2021, despite severe weather warnings and heavy flooding in the area. The river was flowing fast, and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition, leading to the tragic deaths of the four participants. Three of them became trapped after being pulled over the top of the Haverfordwest Town Weir.

O’Dwyer, who was an instructor on the tour, initially exited the river safely but re-entered in an attempt to rescue the others. All four victims drowned.

Lloyd, a former police officer, was not qualified to lead paddleboarding tours in such dangerous conditions. The prosecution revealed that her planning and supervision were severely inadequate, and there were no proper safety briefings or risk assessments conducted. Participants were unaware that they would be crossing the weir, and no alternatives for exiting the water were provided.

Lisa Rose, a specialist prosecutor from the CPS, described the incident as “an avoidable tragedy.” She explained, “Despite checking the river’s state before the tour, Nerys Lloyd failed to inspect the weir, where the majority of participants had limited experience.”

Lloyd’s decision to proceed with the tour despite the dangers ultimately led to the deaths. She will remain on bail until her sentencing in April.

This case followed a joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).