Business
WG invests another £6m in Cardiff Airport
THE WELSH Government has invested an additional £6m in Cardiff Airport with the facility performing ahead of expectations, according to economy secretary Ken Skates.
With the airport hitting targets sooner than expected, the government believes the introduction of additional private equity is moving closer.
The money will be used to improve terminal buildings.
Roger Lewis, chairman at Cardiff Airport said: “On behalf of the board of Cardiff Airport I thank our shareholder, the Welsh Government.
“This is a ringing endorsement of confidence in the Airport business and will enable us to continue to grow, develop and serve our customers, our people and Wales.”
Skates added: “This is clearly an investment not just into the airport, but into Wales.
“Our £6m equity injection in exchange of common shares is expected to increase the equity value of the airport by around £12m. We would not be investing this heavily if we had not had sound evidence that the airport is succeeding in its plan to move towards profitability.
“When I launched our Economic Action Plan at the end of 2017, I recognised the importance of connectivity within Wales, the rest of the UK and the world, to businesses and people. Clearly, for South Wales, Cardiff Airport is a fundamental part of the solution.
“Since we acquired the airport, it has seen year-on-year growth in passenger numbers, which are now nearing 1.5m a year. This is a nine per cent year on year passenger growth, on top of 16 per cent growth in 2016.
“Performance is ahead of the company’s projections, and the airlines taking off from Cardiff fly direct to over 50 destinations including 9 capital cities, and to over 900 destinations via 11 hub airports.
“This, alongside the launch of Qatar Airways which strengthens Cardiff Airport as a gateway for Wales to the wider world, shows very clearly some of the achievements reached to date.”
Just weeks ago, the airport’s Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, revealed plans to attract private sector investment in the airport to pay for a new terminal.
The Economy Secretary, at the time, also confirmed that the Welsh Government expect private sector investment to form part of the airport’s “long term masterplan”.
However, Shadow Economy Secretary, Russell George, said: “If the outlook for the airport is as positive as the Welsh Government claims, you have to ask why they’ve been unable to secure private investment.
“Frankly, a cash injection of this kind is usually taken as a sign of a company in financial distress – not a company on the up and up.
“We all want to see the airport succeed, but we have been repeatedly told that the route to success is through private equity. Now we see another cash injection of taxpayer cash.
“It’s not the long term master plan we were sold by the Cabinet Secretary in January.
“Welsh Conservatives will continue to support the Chief Executive in his efforts to make the airport a success, but Welsh taxpayers will understandably roll their eyes at news of another bailout by the Welsh Government.”
Business
Pembrokeshire Great Wedlock deer park up for sale for £4m
A PEMBROKESHIRE deer farm park attraction, which has expanded with several developments recently approved by councillors despite repeated officer recommendations of refusal, is now on the market for a cool £4m.
Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park, at Gumfreston, some three miles from Tenby, is being marketed through estate agents Fox Grant with a guide price of £4m.
“Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park were established in 2020 by the current owner, has invested well to create a viable business situated an easy drive from Tenby or Saundersfoot, meaning that it is an established tourist destination in the summer months for families,” it says.
Among the assets it lists:
- An Established and Popular Tourist Attraction. Set in 173 Acres.
- 5 Bedroom Farmhouse, 3 Bedrooms En Suite.
- Deer Barn: Café, Shop and Buggy Park
- Cinema Barn: Cinema, Tractor Maze & Soft Play.
- Stone Barn: Golf Putting with second part for restoration.
- The Makers Market Barn with Trader Stalls, store & toilets.
- Planning permission for 15 holiday homes.
- Agricultural barn, Further outbuilding and workshop.
- Deer Fencing all round.
- 2 miles fenced walk, parking for 200 cars
- Outside Playground with some 28 pieces including gym equipment.
- Planning for Event Centre.
- Outside seating for 100.
- Amazing views across the Bristol Channel.
- Perfect for wind turbines, subject to planning permission.
- Monopolistic Trading Position
Since the June 2022 approval of the deer park attraction itself, there have been further applications by Mr and Mrs Evans of Great Wedlock, both repeatedly recommended for refusal by officers, and both ultimately approved by full council after being repeatedly backed by the planning committee.
In December 2023, a change of use of a former agricultural barn to a trading barn for up to 35 traders selling local produce and crafts was approved by approved by 43 votes to one, against officer concerns including the potential for negative impacts on the existing provision of local shops in nearby rural settlements.
In May of this year, plans for 15 disability-friendly holiday lodges, a scheme the applicants had previously priced at some £2.3m to develop, were approved.
At the time local member Cllr Rhys Jordan said the material considerations of “ethically right and economically sound” sustainable tourism and the disability-friendly lodges outweighed officers’ reasons for refusal, which included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, and was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity.
Fox Grant says of the site now up for sale: “The organic pastureland is grazed by the deer, which consist of three breeds: Red Deer, White Red Deer and Fallow Deer, during the summer months, there is the option for tourist to go on Deer Safaris in the buggies, after paying the entrance fee.”
Business
A Haverfordwest landmark: Mike’s Bikes celebrates thirty-six years
Family-run shop marks milestone after three generations keep wheels turning
LIFEBOAT crews, farmers, schoolchildren, club cyclists and thousands of local families have all passed through the doors of Mike’s Bikes in Prendergast. Now the much-loved shop is celebrating its thirty-sixth birthday, marking more than three decades as one of Haverfordwest’s most recognisable independent businesses.

The distinctive blue-fronted building has become a local landmark for anyone travelling through Prendergast. But behind it is a story rooted in family, hard work and a passion for cycling that has carried the business through changing times.
The shop began as the dream of founder Mike, who took early retirement from the water board in the late 1980s to follow his lifelong love of bikes. He found what the family still describe as “the perfect location” in Prendergast, opening the doors for the first time on November 16, 1988.
As demand grew, Mike brought in his close friend Mark as a partner, expanding into the entire lower floor of the building. The pair quickly built a strong reputation for honest advice, repairs done properly, and an old-fashioned customer service that kept people coming back.
Mike retired in 2000, with Mark taking over as sole owner. Under his leadership, the business went from strength to strength, surviving the recession, competition from big retail chains, and the shift towards online sales.

In 2008 the next generation stepped in when Mark’s son Shaun joined as a trainee mechanic. Originally intending to stay only while searching for a carpentry job, he quickly found he “absolutely loved” the work and decided to remain. Shaun is now a director, working alongside his father to steer the business into its fourth decade.
Today Mike’s Bikes is one of the best-known cycling shops in the county, stocking everything from children’s first bikes to high-end road and mountain models, as well as offering servicing and repairs. For many Pembrokeshire families, it’s the first stop whenever a tyre bursts, a bike is outgrown, or a child needs their first two wheels.
The shop thanked its customers in a message posted ahead of the anniversary, saying: “We would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of you that has supported us over the years. Here’s to another 36 years.”
With three generations connected to the business and countless memories tied to the shopfront on Prendergast, Mike’s Bikes remains a rare example of a true independent business still thriving in Haverfordwest — powered not by trends, but by loyalty, community and a deep love of cycling.
Business
Twr y Felin Hotel unveils new bespoke couple’s spa
TWR Y FELIN Felin Hotel, Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, has announced the opening of its new bespoke couple’s spa – an exclusive sanctuary designed to restore balance, renew the senses, and bring calming wellbeing to both body and mind.
The new private spa space combines modern wellness design with gentle natural elements, offering a serene environment for couples or small groups seeking deep relaxation. Centred on the therapeutic power of water, the spa provides a cocoon of tranquillity and indulgence just moments from the heart of St Davids.
Guests can unwind in the deep whirlpool bath, enjoy the circulation-boosting benefits of the infrared sauna, or cleanse and detoxify in the steam shower. The space also includes heated loungers and a private terrace, complemented by soft lighting and soothing music – creating an ideal backdrop for an hour or more of restorative escape.
One-hour spa sessions
Perfect for guests seeking a shorter break from the everyday, the spa offers one-hour sessions:
- Monday – Thursday: £50 per person
- Friday – Sunday: £60 per person
One-hour sessions can be booked online. Longer visits can be arranged directly with the hotel and are subject to availability.
Guests can also extend their wellness journey with a wide menu of treatments, including aromatherapy massage, therapeutic body massage, Indian head massage, body exfoliation rituals, and Twr y Felin’s signature Encapsulate treatment.
“Our vision was to create a space where guests can slow down, breathe, and indulge in a restorative experience that leaves them feeling renewed,” said Emma Bowen, General Manager. “The spa complements our philosophy of creating exceptional experiences inspired by art, culture, and the surrounding Pembrokeshire landscape.”
Booking information
The spa is open daily, with one-hour sessions available to book online. Packages and extended stays must be booked directly with the hotel’s reception team. Please note that the spa is an adults-only environment and is not suitable for pregnant guests.
For information, bookings, and full terms and conditions, visit:
https://twryfelinhotel.com/treatments/
About Twr y Felin Hotel
Located in Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, Twr y Felin Hotel is Wales’ first contemporary art hotel. The award-winning retreat offers luxurious accommodation, fine dining at Blas Restaurant, and a unique collection of specially commissioned artworks inspired by the dramatic Pembrokeshire coast.
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