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Calls for greater support for Pembrokeshire businesses as energy costs surge

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PLAID CYMRU politicians have reiterated calls for both the UK Government and Welsh Government to provide greater support for rural businesses as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies.

A recent report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that 40% of small businesses in Wales are extremely concerned about rising energy costs. The report also noted that 65% of small businesses in Wales had experienced price increases in fuel costs over the past year – with two in five companies (40%) seeing their energy costs double or more.

Speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday 14th December, Cefin Campbell MS, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales drew particular attention to off-grid businesses, who are reliant on LPG or oil as a heating source – and therefore directly affected by wholesale market price fluctuations.

Pembrokeshire has a disproportionately high number of off-grid businesses and properties – with over 41% of premises off-grid, compared with a Welsh average of 19%. Recent months have seen oil and LPG prices fluctuate, with one off-grid business seeing the price they pay for LPG more than double from 40p a litre to 82p a litre.

In response to the growing financial burden such surging energy costs are placing on businesses, the UK Government has announced an Energy Bill Relief scheme package to assist businesses and other non-domestic customers. For businesses not connected to the gas grid, the government have confirmed they will provide a fixed payment of £150 to all UK non-domestic consumers – however details regarding the application criteria and payment timeline are yet to be announced.

Speaking in the Senedd during questions to the Welsh Government Economy Minister, Cefin Campbell MS criticised the lack of support for off-grid businesses and called for greater assistance from Welsh and UK Governments.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our rural economy. However, as reflected in FSB’s recent research there’s no denying that this is a worrying time for many firms and employers – with many facing a bleak midwinter amidst spiraling energy bills and the wider cost of living crisis.”

A disproportionately high number of businesses across Mid & West Wales are off-grid, and reliant on heating sources such as LPG and oil – which are liable to fluctuating prices. Many of the existing support packages provided by Welsh and UK Government have left these off-grid businesses in the cold, and greater efforts need to be undertaken with urgency to support them over the coming difficult weeks and months.”

Ben Lake MP, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster spokesperson on the Economy added:

“Over recent weeks my inbox has been inundated with businesses expressing grave concerns over surging energy costs. For many off-grid businesses, the tokenistic £150 payment offered by the UK Government won’t even touch the sides, and despite pressure from myself and others, we still have no idea when businesses will receive such payment.

“Sadly, this cost-of-doing-business crisis is likely to put many of our valued local businesses under immense pressure this winter, and more needs to be done to support them.”

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Business

Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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Business

Ocky White Travel marks 60th anniversary with luxury cruise giveaway

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IN a grand gesture commemorating six decades of unparalleled service in the travel industry, Pembrokeshire’s venerated independent travel agency, Ocky White Travel, has announced an extraordinary giveaway—a luxury cruise for two, in partnership with Pure West Radio.

Established 60 years ago, Ocky White Travel has become a staple in the lives of Pembrokeshire residents, offering dream holidays and contributing significantly to the local economy. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of neighbouring businesses and the often harsh realities of the travel sector, Ocky White Travel has stood firm, a testament to its resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction.

This resilience was further demonstrated when, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic—a period that saw many in the industry falter—Ocky White Travel not only survived but thrived by expanding its operations to include Sam Smith Travel in Cowbridge. This expansion has allowed the agency to extend its exceptional service to a broader audience across South Wales.

Celebrating this milestone, Ocky White Travel has engaged in a comprehensive multi-media campaign, underscored by its official sponsorship of the PWR Daytime Show. A central highlight of this celebration is a tiered competition, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a luxury Nordic cruise for two. The competition, which has garnered thousands of entries since its launch on 21st February, underscores the agency’s dedication to rewarding its loyal clientele.

Mark White, Owner and Managing Director of Ocky White Travel, expressed immense pride in reaching this significant milestone. He emphasised the agency’s unique position in the hearts of many families across generations, attributing this success to the personalised service and deep understanding of client needs that have become the hallmark of Ocky White Travel.

Echoing this sentiment, Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on local residents. He praised Ocky White Travel for its hands-on approach and the invaluable advice provided by its seasoned staff. The giveaway, featuring a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, stands as the most significant prize offered by the radio station, symbolising a “holiday of a lifetime.”

Entries for this historic giveaway will remain open until 31st March, with the lucky winners to be announced on Pure West Radio’s Daytime Show. This event not only celebrates Ocky White Travel’s 60 years of service but also its enduring commitment to creating unforgettable holiday experiences for its customers.

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