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Business

New fund for tourism

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Exploring more of Wales: The little big country

A €2M project to encourage more visitors to explore lesser known areas of Ireland and Wales has been announced by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Dafydd Elis-Thomas on Monday, February 26.

The Celtic Routes project, backed by €1.6m of EU funds, aims to encourage visitors to explore new areas of Wales and Ireland en route to their final tourist destination.

Led by Carmarthenshire County Council, the project will focus on the areas of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in Wales and Waterford, Wicklow and Wexford in Ireland.

The Celtic Routes project aims to transform less well known areas from transit zones to new touring sites, increasing the time visitors spend in these regions and capitalising on the opportunities to boost local economies.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, said: “Celtic Routes is a great example of EU funds being used to benefit cross border areas in Ireland and Wales by encouraging visitors to explore the local scenery, hospitality and culture of wider regions , and not just tourist hot spots. By helping to increase visitor numbers, the project will stimulate economic growth and both create and safeguard jobs in the cultural, heritage and tourism sectors.

“In light of Brexit it is more important than ever that we support and celebrate the strong Celtic links between our two countries.”

The project will be developed through customer research, trade events and workshops as well as cross border visits by businesses in Ireland and Wales to bring together expertise and ideas.

The aim is to increase the visitor appeal of the targeted areas, including through the development of new trails linking local culture, heritage and the natural environment.

This exciting new initiative will complement The Wales Way, a ten-year strategic initiative launched to the international market last year, to celebrate a range of existing and planned routes and give visitors from around the world the confidence to explore more of Wales.

Irish Government Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, said: “Tourism is one of Ireland’s most important economic sectors and has significant potential to play a further role in Ireland’s economic renewal. On the weekend we welcome Welsh rugby fans to Lansdowne Road, the Celtic Routes project shows how EU funding can support tourism development in a cross-border context to the benefit of both countries.”

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, executive board member for culture, sport and tourism for Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We have a fantastic opportunity to attract people who are passing through south Wales and Ireland as they travel to their final destination. We want people to stop and appreciate the amazing beauty of the countryside and coast, visit our vast array of attractions and stay, eat and enjoy as our guests before they travel on. Hopefully they will come back time and time again, and tell the world about what we have to offer.”

The Celtic Routes project is part-funded by the EU’s Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme, which supports collaboration between Ireland and Wales to address common economic and social challenges and opportunities.

Business

New creative space aims to help revitalise Haverfordwest town centre

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A FRESH initiative is bringing a creative spark to Haverfordwest’s high street, with the opening of a new shared studio space designed to support local artists and breathe life into empty shops.

Breakout Gallery, led by Arthur Brooker, officially opened its doors to the public on Friday, February 14, offering both a workspace and a platform for artists to showcase their work.

Arthur, who has been running Breakout Gallery for nearly a decade, has shifted the focus of the business in response to changing times.

“We initially specialised in selling artwork on commission,” Arthur explained. “But after COVID and the cost-of-living crisis, we needed to rethink our approach. Now, our main goal is to help regenerate Haverfordwest by transforming vacant retail spaces into hubs of creativity.”

The gallery has been redesigned to include individual studio units, allowing artists to rent space to create and exhibit their work.

Beyond the studio, Breakout Gallery is well known for its street exhibitions, which add a vibrant touch to local festivals and events. The team also rents out event decorations and manages a space at Westival.

Arthur is now setting his sights on further expansion. “There’s so much potential in Haverfordwest,” he said. “We’re already exploring another premises to offer even more creative space. It’s all about revitalising the town, one shop at a time.”

In addition to providing studio space, the gallery hosts exhibitions and events, with the next major showcase, Heartbreak Hotel by Harriet Davis, set to open on Friday, February 28. Life drawing and oil painting classes are also being introduced to further engage the local artistic community.

A former director at Haverhub, Arthur is passionate about bringing more artists into the fold and ensuring that Haverfordwest becomes a thriving creative hub.

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Business

Insolvency figures rise as businesses face growing pressures

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CORPORATE INSOLVENCIES increased in England and Wales by 6.4% in January 2025, reaching 1,971 cases compared to December 2024’s total of 1,852. The figure also marks a 10.7% rise from January 2024’s 1,780 cases and a 13.1% increase from January 2023.

Personal insolvencies, meanwhile, dropped by 3.4% in January 2025 to 9,706, down from 10,045 in December. However, this remains 11.6% higher than January 2024’s figure of 8,698 and 12.5% higher than January 2023’s 8,630.

Rising costs drive business closures

Bethan Evans, Wales Chair of R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, said the rise in corporate insolvencies is largely due to an increase in Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations and Administrations.

She said: “This suggests that many directors are opting to close their businesses after years of tough trading conditions, particularly ahead of the upcoming rise in the National Minimum Wage and Employers’ National Insurance Contributions in April. As a result, corporate insolvencies have hit their highest January level in over five years.

“There is some positive news in the form of increased Administration numbers, which suggests that more companies may be rescued through sales out of Administration.”

Evans added that creditor pressures and ongoing costs remain key factors driving insolvencies, as rising expenses and reduced consumer spending continue to take a toll.

“Creditors have largely abandoned the more lenient approach they took post-pandemic, with HMRC now returning to pre-COVID levels of debt collection,” she said.

Sectors including retail, construction, and hospitality have struggled. While retailers saw an increase in sales during the festive season, Evans noted that much of this was driven by discounts rather than sustained consumer demand. The construction sector has been hit by rising costs and client caution, while hospitality businesses failed to see the Christmas revenue boost they had hoped for.

Looking ahead, she said: “The projected cut in economic growth has affected business confidence, with many firms hesitant to invest in expansion or hiring ahead of April’s wage and tax changes. However, the Bank of England’s decision to cut the base interest rate could help improve access to rescue finance.”

Household debt remains a concern

On personal insolvencies, Evans pointed to a rise in Debt Relief Orders (DROs), attributing this to changes in debt thresholds and the removal of administration fees last year.

“Breathing Space numbers are at their highest in a year, reinforcing the fact that household debt remains a serious issue in England and Wales,” she said.

“With winter costs for heating and food still high, financial worries are mounting. Many people are keeping a close watch on their outgoings and remain uncertain about their financial future.”

She urged those struggling with debt to seek help early.

“Discussing financial problems—whether personal or business-related—can be difficult, but seeking advice early often provides more options. Most R3 members in Wales offer free initial consultations to help people understand their financial situation and explore potential solutions.”

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Business

Special meeting to decide new £2.3m holiday development at deer park

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PLANS for £2.3m disability-friendly holiday lodges at a Pembrokeshire deer park attraction have been backed for a second time, but a final decision will have to be made by full council.

In an application recommended for refusal at the February 18 meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, Mr and Mrs Evans are seeking permission for 15 lodges at Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, near Tenby, the site of a 176-acre deer farm attraction, which includes animals from the late Queen’s estate, and a more recently-granted market traders’ barn.

The application had previously been recommended for refusal at the January meeting, but members went against officer recommendations with a ‘minded to’ approval, meaning the scheme returned to the February meeting after a ‘cooling off period’.

Reasons for refusal given to members included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, and was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity.

The applicants have previously said build costs to complete the development would be circa £2.3m.

St Florence Community Council did not support a previous application, but has supported the latest amended scheme.

At the February meeting, officers repeated their concerns, also raising a recent court judgement against the council for a previously-granted holiday park scheme in Stepaside, which had been backed despite repeated calls by officers for its refusal, saying there was a possibility of a similar situation arising.

Applicant Andrew Evans thanked members for their previous support for the scheme, saying it would be “completely unique to Pembrokeshire,” providing a facility “for those less fortunate than ourselves,” adding: “Persons with disabilities can come and stay and be one of the majority, and not the minority.”

He said issues on visual intrusion had been addressed by screening which had already cost some £2,000, saying: “The only way you’d see this development is from a helicopter.”

Mr Evans told members some £2.3m was being sunk into the scheme, estimating an annual £1.5m spend in the county when wages, visitor expenditure and other factors were taken into account.

He said, if full approval was given, the first builds could be up-and-running this year, with all finished by February 2026.

Tenby-born Mr Evans quoted a recently-submitted Network Rail scheme to the national park to improve disability access at the town’s railway station, adding: “We’re going for something that no-one else caters for; 24 per cent of people suffer a disability.”

Local member, Cllr Rhys Jordan called once again for the scheme to be supported, saying the recent judgement of the Heritage Park scheme was “a different set of circumstances,” with the likelihood of a judicial review on an application that had “not received one objection” and was supported by the local community council “slim to none”.

Councillor Alan Dennison, who moved approval, seconded by Cllr Jordan, said: “With respect to the recent court case, everyone supports this.”

Concerns were raised by councillors Brian Hall and Alistair Cameron, the former warning it could “open the door” for applications previously refused.

Members voted nine in favour to five against supporting the scheme.

This second approval against officer recommendations based on policy means the final decision on the scheme will have to be made by full council, the matter expected to be heard at the March meeting.

The applicants’ previous scheme for a trading barn took an identical route, being decided by full council after repeatedly being recommended for refusal.

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