Business

Celtic collection appointed to manage new Milford Haven hotel

Published

5 years ago

March 17, 2021

A 100-BEDROOM hotel being built as part of the Milford Waterfront development in Milford Haven will be managed and operated by the team responsible for the iconic Celtic Manor Resort, as part of its expanding Celtic Collection of properties.

Celtic Manor, which made global headlines when it staged the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit, brings its knowledge and expertise to operating the new hotel in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven, the venue’s owner.

Forming part of the Celtic Collection’s new portfolio of Tŷ Hotels, the 46,000 sq ft property will be located at the entrance to Milford Waterfront on the Pembrokeshire Coast.

When it opens in 2022, the new hotel will feature four floors of bedroom accommodation and benefit from picture-postcard views across Milford Marina. A variety of bedroom types, including family rooms, make it the ideal base for purposeful travellers for both business and leisure.

Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront will also house a restaurant and bar, a private dining area, and an activity suite within the ground floor.

The hotel will provide a significant draw for new tourists to Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire, as part of a major redevelopment of the waterfront. Around 50 permanent jobs will be created in the hotel’s operations with many more supported in the supply chain.

Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, Andy Jones, said: “The new Tŷ Hotel is great news for Pembrokeshire and represents a watershed moment for Milford Waterfront. The Celtic Collection, with its international standing, shares our passion for the destination – with its fascinating history and stunning marina backdrop – and has joined us to tell a global audience that Milford Waterfront is a fantastic place to visit and to stay.

“An investment of this kind creates a ripple effect, building even greater positivity among local businesses and creating opportunities for jobs and long-term growth. Despite lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, many Milford Waterfront businesses have continued to thrive and are looking forward to opening their doors again and welcoming families and foodies alike.

“We are a proud Pembrokeshire business and are delighted to be bringing this high quality investment to the area in partnership with The Celtic Collection. It really does demonstrate to other investors that Pembrokeshire offers great opportunities for growth.”

Construction work commenced in January and has been ongoing during the present lockdown with the hotel expected to be completed in time for opening in the Spring of 2022.

The Celtic Collection Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to manage and operate this exciting new hotel in a spectacular waterfront location and we are excited to launch this partnership with the Port of Milford Haven.

“After such a difficult year for tourism and hospitality, it is fantastic to announce this positive news as we look forward to the sector reopening. We know this hotel is going to bring a welcome boost to the local economy and attract a lot of new visitors to Milford Haven.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for The Celtic Collection to expand our horizons and bring our expertise in hotels and hospitality to Pembrokeshire, a region which is world-renowned as a tourist destination thanks to its spectacular coastline and landscape, and its welcoming people.

“We look forward to working with the community and with local suppliers and stakeholders to make a real success of this new hotel and drive more prosperity for the region.”

Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire, Jane Rees-Baynes, said: “We, at Visit Pembrokeshire, are delighted to learn that the new operator of the Milford Waterfront hotel will be Tŷ Hotels, part of the Celtic Collection. The new hotel will not only bring a new accommodation offering to this part of Pembrokeshire, it will also bring additional employment opportunities in one of our key sectors.

“It builds on the fantastic work the Port of Milford Haven has been doing with Milford Waterfront – strengthening the offering both for locals and for visitors. We look forward to working closely with the Port, Milford Waterfront and Tŷ Hotels to help deliver our vision of growing tourism in Pembrokeshire for the benefit of all.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

9 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

13 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.