Business
Council wants to increase social housing stock by buying private properties. Are you selling?
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL says that it is continuing efforts to increase its social housing stock in response to the current housing challenges faced in the county.
As of the end of March, there were 5545 people on the housing register, the council said. With an increased demand to provide urgent temporary housing following changes to Welsh Government policy, the Council is now using its own stock as well as B&B and other private hostel arrangements.
The Council has been and continues to proactively acquire properties, including ex-council ‘buy backs’ to add to its housing stock by using its own as well as Welsh Government funding.
This funding has been allocated to the Council in recognition of the housing pressures being faced through lack of affordable accommodation and the demands on social housing stock.
Therefore the Council is urging anyone considering selling their property to get in touch.
Last year, the Council purchased 57 properties when presented with a unique opportunity.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, the Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Given the large numbers of people on the housing register I’m pleased to see that the Council is pushing on with efforts to increase the number of properties that are available.
“Each property we acquire is another home for people and families on the housing register in Pembrokeshire and makes such a positive impact on their lives.
“We are keen to acquire affordable housing that meet our needs across the County and therefore invite anyone considering selling their property to contact the Housing department on 01437 764551.”
Business
Pembrokeshire Celebrates its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards
What a night!
Last week Pembrokeshire recognised and celebrated its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, hosted by Jamie Owen and held at Pembrokeshire College. These are businesses and organisations who deliver memorable experiences for visitors to Pembrokeshire throughout the year. Many congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted:
Accessible & Inclusive Award | Winner: Windswept Paddle Ability Water Sports
Runners Up: Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club, Havard Stables
Best Activity, Experience or Tour | Winner: Sweet Home Alpaca
Runners Up: Llyn Llys Y Fran Lake, Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking
Best Attraction Award | Winner: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Runners Up: Heatherton World of Activities, Picton Castle Gardens
Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse | Winner: Elm Grove Country House
Runners Up: Roch Castle, Penrhiw Priory
Best Camping & Glamping Award | Winner: Florence Springs Glamping and Camping Village
Runners Up: Beavers Retreat Glamping, Nights Under Canvas
Best Caravan Park | Winner: Trees Caravan Park
Runners Up: Redford Caravan Park Ltd, Lawrenny Quay Holiday Park
Best Dog Friendly Award | Winner: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery
Runners Up: Sleekstone Holidays, Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages
Best Event Award | Winner: 4theRegion
Runners Up: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Best Place to Eat Award | Winner: Fernery Restaurant
Runners Up: The Really Wild Emporium, Blas Restaurant
Best Self-Catering 1-3 Units | Winner: Sleekstone Holidays
Runners Up: Manorbier Castle – Self-let Accommodations, Dyffryn Conin Farm Holiday-Let, Preseli Hills Cottages
Best Self-Catering 4+ Units | Winner: Bluestone National Park Resort
Runners Up: Musselwick Farm Cottages, Florence Springs Luxury Lodges
Bro a Byd (Environmental & Sustainable) Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Best Hotel Award | Winner: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront
Runners Up: Grove of Narberth, Twr y Felin Hotel
Pub of the Year Award | Winner: The Wolfe Inn Wolfscastle
Runners Up: The Cove Bar & Restaurant, Ferry Inn
Rising star Award | Winner: Charly Dix, Lan y Mor Restaurant
Sustainable & Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers Award | Winner:
Fishguard Bay Welcome
Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery, St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery
Emma Thornton CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire commented: “This event was a result of an exciting partnership between Visit Pembrokeshire, the Seren collection and Pembrokeshire College who worked together to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests serving a delicious 3 course meal featuring locally sourced Pembrokeshire produce. This was partnership working at its best. A big thank you to all our Category sponsors and supporters without whom this event would not have been possible.”
The winners will now go forward to the Southwest Regional Awards later this year, followed by the National Visit Wales Awards in Spring 2025.
To see highlights from the event visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/gallery-2024/
Business
Longest established artisan cheesemaker in Wales levels up sustainability efforts
CAWS TEIFI, a family-run farm and artisan cheese maker based in Llandysul, has received £100,000 funding from NatWest to improve the energy efficiency of Glynhynod Farm.
The business was founded in 1982 and has been producing high quality Welsh cheese for almost four decades. The family run firm was started by siblings Paula and John, along with John’s wife Patrice, who all made the move from Holland to purchase the farm in Llandysul.
Today the farm is run by John and Patrice’s sons, Robert and John-James, who have continued the family traditions by using a 500-year-old Gouda recipe to create their cheese, named after the nearby River Teifi.
As part of the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable business investment, the funding will enable Caws Teifi to install a large solar array, battery storage and a vehicle EV charging point to help reduce the farm’s utility costs, enhance energy efficiency and boost environmental efforts.
In addition to the eco-conscious installations, the owners also plan to use the funding to make improvements to the farm’s visitor areas to support additional revenue streams, including adding a viewing gallery for guests to get a true picture of the cheesemaking and buttermaking process, from field to fork.
Serving as the longest established artisan cheesemaker in Wales, Caws Teifi blend commercial cheesemaking methods with more traditional techniques, with much of the equipment over 100 years old, an approach which has seen the family-run business win a multitude of national awards including The Royal Welsh Show and The British and World Cheese Awards.
Looking to the future, the family hopes to continue growing and creating further local employment opportunities. Robert and John-James are taking forward their parent’s vision, with a programme of events dedicated to education on organic farming, local artisan food and drink and business self-sufficiency.
Commenting on the funding, Rob Savage-Onstwedder, Business Partner and Director at Glynhynod Farm, said: “At Caws Teifi we’re proud of our heritage, as well as understanding the importance of innovation and the need to adapt, this has become a key part of our success and longevity as a business.
“We all have a responsibility to try to improve the way we do things for the good of the planet and for our own local communities.
“NatWest’s commitment to supporting our green initiatives and new business endeavors has been invaluable. Working with a local manager who understands the business, our partners and local community as well as the market has been vital in helping us achieve our growth aims.”
As one of the UK’s biggest banks for small businesses, NatWest works collaboratively with customers to understand their needs and help them find solutions to support their businesses as they grow.
Huw Simpkins, Relationship Manager at NatWest, added: “This funding builds on a relationship of 18 years with the family at Glynhynod Farm and marks a very exciting time for the farms’ future.
“The team’s commitment to the local community as well as their dedication to consistent, well thought-through innovation and expansion has earned them a well-deserved reputation both locally and nationally, and we’re proud to be able to have a role within their exciting next chapter.”
Business
Why experts think Trump’s win will be blow to UK economy and your wallet
DONALD TRUMP’S return to the US presidency casts an uncertain shadow over the UK, potentially leading to economic shocks that could burden British households with higher costs, lower growth, and less job security. His policy unpredictability and “America First” doctrine spell challenges for UK businesses, while his strong-willed approach to trade and foreign policy could drive a wedge between the two countries.
TRADE TENSIONS COULD COST UK EXPORTERS
Trump’s protectionist stance has reignited concerns about tariffs, which could cut deep into the UK economy. The US is Britain’s largest export market, receiving around 25% of all UK-manufactured exports. Proposed tariffs of up to 10% on imports to the US would affect major British exporters such as Rolls Royce and BAE Systems, impacting an estimated £56 billion in trade. If enacted, such tariffs could push costs higher, threatening thousands of jobs in sectors dependent on American demand.
A STRAINED UK-US RELATIONSHIP
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have made diplomatic overtures to Trump, attending dinners and working closely with Trump’s allies, challenges in the relationship remain evident. Starmer’s reserved style contrasts with Trump’s brash manner, raising questions about how compatible their leadership styles are. This uncertainty, highlighted by one diplomat’s remark that Trump “doesn’t give a stuff” about UK relations, suggests a bumpy road ahead.
Diplomats have tirelessly built relationships with Trump’s inner circle, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump’s likely national security adviser, Elbridge Colby. However, Trump’s mercurial nature, marked by unpredictable social media outbursts and contentious negotiations, may test these connections. As Lammy put it, relations with Trump are likely to be “bumpy, noisy, and transactional.”
ECONOMIC FALLOUT AND SLOWER GROWTH
The potential for UK economic slowdown under Trump’s policies is profound. Economists from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) predict UK growth will be halved if Trump enforces his proposed tariffs. Without tariffs, the UK could expect moderate growth of around 1.2% next year; however, this figure could drop as low as 0.4% should the trade restrictions come into force. Coupled with rising inflation, this could lead to diminished purchasing power for households already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.
CURRENCY VOLATILITY AND JOB THREATS
Trump’s victory has already weakened the pound, with the GBP/USD exchange rate falling sharply as results came in. Investors are wary of increased tariffs and Trump’s isolationist policies, both of which could stoke currency volatility and strain the UK economy. A weakened pound also drives up the cost of imports, which affects consumers directly through higher prices for everyday goods.
The potential loss of thousands of jobs in sectors heavily reliant on US trade adds to the bleak outlook. Automotive manufacturing, for instance, could be heavily impacted by Trump’s threat of a 100% tariff on imported cars. Companies like Jaguar Land Rover, whose Land Rover Defender was one of the UK’s top exports to the US, may face cutbacks if tariffs make exports uncompetitive.
UNCERTAIN INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT
The UK’s global-facing stock market may also suffer. Companies in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, which derive significant profits from international operations, could experience volatility as Trump’s policies introduce uncertainty into transatlantic trade. Such uncertainty could lead investors to shy away from the UK market, diminishing capital inflows and further affecting economic growth.
SHIFTS IN GLOBAL PRIORITIES
Beyond economic pressures, Trump’s foreign policy outlook could exacerbate the UK’s security challenges. Trump’s “America First” rhetoric and emphasis on Asia over Europe may leave European allies, including the UK, less confident about US support for initiatives like defending Ukraine. While the UK has publicly aligned with Trump’s view that Europe should shoulder more of its defense costs, there are fears that a US pivot to Asia could weaken the cohesion of NATO and reduce military backing for Europe.
Lammy has attempted to foster an understanding of Trump’s instincts, acknowledging his focus on American interests and recognition of Asia’s growing influence. However, as the UK looks toward cooperation on issues like Ukraine, this alignment may prove insufficient in securing the support needed to address shared security concerns.
BRITISH FAMILIES TO SHOULDER THE COST
For British families, the impact of a Trump presidency could hit close to home. With increased tariffs potentially driving up inflation by 3-4%, the Bank of England may feel compelled to raise interest rates by as much as 2-3% in response. For households already feeling the pinch from rising prices, this could lead to higher mortgage costs, increased borrowing rates, and a tougher job market, further squeezing living standards.
Though the UK government has prepared for Trump’s return, the effectiveness of these plans remains to be seen. As Britain braces for another unpredictable chapter with Trump at the helm, citizens may face a “bumpy, noisy, and transactional” relationship that could reshape the economy, impacting everything from job security to the prices at the supermarket.
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