News

The Druidstone Hotel receives backlash after charging a £200 membership fee

Published

4 years ago

September 21, 2021

Mr Bell said he had been left struggling to cope after the bar was overrun with visitors.

OWNERS of Pembrokeshire Hotel based in Haverfordwest have been labelled as “elitist” after introducing a £200 membership fee to their members-only bar.

Angus Bell, the owner of The Druidstone Hotel claims the hotel have been overwhelmed since tourists that have been staying in nearby caravan parks and airbnbs have filled the hotel in attempts to take images of the sunset on the hotel’s clifftop balcony to post to Instagram.

Mr Bell said he had been left struggling to cope after the bar, overlooking St Brides Bay, was overrun with visitors.

“It just got too much,” he said.

“My guests were having to wait 45 minutes at the bar to get a drink and a lot of the local people would avoid us in the summer because we were too busy.

“We could have gone down the route of having a second bar, but we don’t want to be a pub and I didn’t like walking into my garden to find 60 people there that I didn’t know.”

Mr Bell said that the criticism had not changed his mind, and he now had time for his staff and guests after introducing the system.

“I’ve made my life better – even though someone might be a bit upset that they can’t pop in for a cup of tea,” he said.

The former Victorian home was transformed into a 10-bedroom hotel by Mr Bell’s parents, Rod and Jane Bell in 1972.

Mr Bell, who took over the hotel after his parents died, said the membership, which can increase to £400 a year with extra advantages, for example; an increased bar tab facility, was rolled out to try and “control numbers” and make it a nicer place to live and stay.

Mr Bell, who currently runs the hotel with his partner Beth Wilshaw, says that his parents had previously run the hotel as a members-only club.

He has said that non-members are still able to book rooms at the hotel, or a table at the restaurant. The membership only affects the bar.

Some people have described the change as “elitist” and that it was “barring” visitors and locals from visiting the hotel. Several people have taken to TripAdvisor to voice their concerns.

One person has wrote: “So disappointing to have such a lovely place turned into an elitist members-only clique where you can only drink if you’re staying there or pay £200+ a year.”

One reviewer wrote they would no longer be able to go to the Druidstone after going there for food and drinks for over 40 years.

However, in a note on the hotel website, they say they “know there are people who really love this place but for whom £200 annually just will not be possible,”

Adding: “We don’t want to price people out of The Druidstone. So talk to Angus and Beth.”

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.