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Business

Celtic collection appointed to manage new Milford Haven hotel

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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

Kurtz addresses Employment and Skills Convention

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SENEDD Member Samuel Kurtz kicked off an Employment and Skills Convention at the Cardiff City Stadium recently, organised by the Learning and Skills Institute. The event sought to unite organisations, businesses, and training providers to discuss critical issues surrounding employment and skills development across Wales.

The convention featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including local Samuel Kurtz MS, who is the Shadow Minister for the Economy and Energy; Rhys Morris, Managing Director of The Busy Group; and Megan Hooper, Director for Employment and Skills at Serco. Together, they explored strategies for increasing employment and the positive impacts this can have on individuals, young people, and the broader community.

Following the event, Samuel Kurtz said: “It was a privilege to speak at this convention and to underscore the vital role of collaboration between government and the private sector in aligning skills and training with the evolving needs of our economy.

“By enhancing skills and creating jobs, we can foster a resilient workforce that will not only meet today’s demands but also drive essential green infrastructure projects, ensuring a prosperous future for young people in Wales.

“Welsh Government Ministers must acknowledge their role in addressing high levels of economic inactivity. Introducing employment targets is essential to support people in re-entering the workforce and contributing to Wales’ economic growth.”

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Business

Homebase enters administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk

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HOMEBASE, the beleaguered home improvement chain with stores in Haverfordwest and Bridgend, has collapsed into administration, placing 2,000 jobs in jeopardy. The company has struggled with rising costs and shifting consumer demand, which led to the closure of other Welsh stores in Newport, Brecon, Mold, and Cardiff in recent years.

Hilco, Homebase’s owner, had been attempting to sell the struggling retailer but failed to secure a complete buyer. The owner of The Range, CDS Superstores, has agreed to acquire up to 70 Homebase locations along with the brand itself, protecting approximately 1,600 jobs. However, this deal leaves 49 stores without a buyer, with thousands of additional jobs at risk in stores and at the head office. Teneo, the appointed administrators, declined to specify which locations face potential closure.

For now, the 49 stores will continue trading as Teneo seeks a buyer, with no immediate redundancies planned. In the new arrangement, CDS Superstores has acquired Homebase’s brand name and intellectual property, ensuring the Homebase brand will persist online, while physical stores will convert to The Range.

Damian McGloughlin, CEO of Homebase, described the past three years as “incredibly challenging” for the DIY sector. He cited the downturn in consumer spending following the pandemic, persistent inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and unusual weather patterns as factors that impacted Homebase’s performance. Despite restructuring and investment efforts, the business has not been able to turn its fortunes around.

Teneo joint administrator Gavin Maher acknowledged the uncertainty this announcement brings, urging any interested buyers for the remaining stores to make contact.

The current administration marks the end of a troubled chapter for Homebase, which Hilco bought for £1 in 2018 after Wesfarmers, its previous owner, admitted to several strategic missteps, including underestimating winter demand and cutting popular product lines. Homebase reported an £84.2 million loss last year, highlighting its continued financial struggle amid competition from budget-friendly rivals such as B&M and Home Bargains, which have thrived in the value-driven market.

Homebase was founded in 1979 by Sainsbury’s and the Belgian-owned department store chain GB-inno-BM. Over the years, it expanded rapidly, absorbing the Texas Homecare chain in the 1990s before changing hands several times in the 2000s.

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Bluestone National Park Resort pledges support to armed forces community

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BLUESTONE National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to pledge its commitment to the UK Armed Forces as the country commemorates Armistice Day.

Bluestone, which employs several former armed forces personnel, marked Armistice Day on 11, with a commitment to reaching gold status on the covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly.

The Covenant aims to eliminate disadvantage and ensure that no member of the armed forces community faces discrimination in providing public and commercial services compared to any other citizen.

Glenn Hewer, Head of Sales at Bluestone, is a former Royal Marine who volunteers with the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines. He said: “More and more employees recognise the importance and significance that former armed personnel have and play in their communities and workplaces. The covenant is a commitment to them and a recognition of what they and their families have sacrificed for us.

“Additionally, ex-forces personnel make great employees in all walks of life. They are highly trained in a wide range of skills and bring many benefits to businesses. Providing an opportunity that allows them to further their careers outside the military is a great way of supporting them and their families.”

This commitment has also led Bluestone to join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze award. The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses bronze, silver, and gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support for defence and the armed forces community.

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone National Park Resort who is also a veteran of the Royal Engineers, said: “At Bluestone, we deeply value the contribution of the Armed Forces community to our country.

“We are proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrate our commitment to supporting them. We believe it’s important to recognise the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families and ensure they are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve. We are committed to attaining the Gold ERS as we build our relationship with the armed forces community.”

Craig Middle, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the Ministry of Defence, said: “We are delighted that Bluestone National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. This is a fantastic example of a business recognising the value that serving personnel, veterans and their families bring to the workplace and wider society.”

Marten added: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a living document, and Bluestone is committed to updating its pledge to reflect its ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.”

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