Business

Tenby beachside café forced to cease food service amidst soaring costs

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

A BELOVED seaside café in Tenby will halt its food service starting next week.

The Dennis Cafe, situated on Castle Beach, has fallen victim to the ever-escalating cost of living crisis that continues to plague businesses.

Mike Linday, who has dutifully overseen the café for an impressive 32 years, and his daughter Ebony, jointly expressed their anguish over the decision to cease food sales. They confessed that it had caused them countless sleepless nights, but ultimately, they found themselves left with no alternative. It was a matter of discontinuing food service or facing the bleak prospect of permanent closure.

Mike revealed that the café had been grappling with exorbitant fuel bills, surging from £15,000 to an overwhelming £50,000. Furthermore, the rent imposed by Pembrokeshire Council had surged by 10%, while wage bills had risen by 5%. By terminating the sale of food, they hoped to curtail expenses related to gas, electricity, fridge freezers, and cooking operations.

The prevailing situation has not been unique to the Dennis Cafe, as numerous hospitality businesses have struggled to cope with escalating costs across the board in recent months. Mounting prices for raw materials, fuel, rent, and wages have rendered survival increasingly challenging.

“It’s not as dire as it may sound; I’m always willing to adapt when necessary. We’ll continue to offer beverages, cakes, take-away sandwiches, and ice creams,” assured Mike.

He added, “Additionally, we’ll feature food on special nights, accepting pre-orders to gauge demand. We remain consistently busy, but the rising prices have taken their toll. We are not closing.”

Mike acknowledged the café’s idyllic beachside location, which thrived under sunny conditions, but acknowledged that inclement weather could negatively impact earnings. On Saturday, as word spread of the impending closure of the kitchen, many patrons flocked to savor their favorite dish—the breakfasts.

Recounting the arduous decision-making process, Mike and Ebony shared, “This choice has not been made lightly and has caused us countless sleepless nights. Due to escalating energy and food costs, as well as the overall expenses of running a business, we have concluded that this weekend will mark the last time our kitchen serves meals.”

The duo emphasized that this move was essential to keep the business afloat and prevent complete closure. The café will remain available for private functions, continuing to offer catering services. Moreover, they plan to organize pop-up theme nights throughout the summer.

Sharing the somber news on the café’s Facebook page, Mike and Ebony concluded, “We hope you all comprehend the gravity of this decision, as this business holds immeasurable significance to us, and losing it would be devastating. So, make sure to seize this weekend as the final opportunity to relish our signature Dens breakfast. The kitchen will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

While the kitchen will be closed from Monday, May 15, the café and Didi Dens will remain open, serving homemade refreshments, coffees, delectable Pembrokeshire ice creams, beach merchandise, and more.

Customers responded with sorrow upon hearing the news, with the Facebook post garnering over 50 comments expressing regret.

Lynne Galliford lamented, “It’s sad; it was one of the best breakfasts in Tenby.” Dean Doyle concurred, “Oh no! We adore that place, although we fully understand the circumstances.”

Business

West Wales Holiday Cottages celebrates 20 years of success

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tourism firm marks milestone with community celebration in Cardigan

WEST WALES Holiday Cottages marked two decades in business last week with a special anniversary event that brought together cottage owners, local partners, and tourism supporters from across the region.

The event, held at the popular Pizza Tipi venue in Cardigan, was an opportunity to reflect on 20 years of championing independent stays and promoting tourism across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire.

Founded in 2005 as a small family-run business, the company has grown from managing a handful of properties to showcasing almost 600 holiday cottages across West Wales.

Managing Director Lisa Stopher said: “We are so proud of our achievements over the last 20 years. We started with just a few cottages and now offer something for everyone. Some of our owners have been with us since the very early days, which is a testament to the fantastic team we have on board. We have exciting plans for the future and look forward to welcoming guests to West Wales for many more years.”

Guests at the celebration enjoyed food, conversation, and speeches highlighting the firm’s growth and impact on the region’s self-catering industry.

The company has played a significant role in supporting independent tourism and boosting the local economy by connecting visitors with unique places to stay across some of Wales’s most scenic landscapes.

Business

Milford Haven Port: Hospitality income overtakes biggest energy terminal

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tourism and hospitality generate more than any single energy customer, marking a historic economic shift for the UK’s leading energy port

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN — long known as Britain’s busiest energy gateway — has revealed that its hospitality and tourism businesses are now outperforming its largest energy customer.

For the first time in the Port’s history, income from hotels, restaurants, and visitor operations exceeded the revenue earned from its single biggest energy terminal, according to the Port’s 2024 Annual Report.

The milestone marks a strategic turning point in the commercial direction of the trust port, which has traditionally relied on oil and gas terminals such as Valero, Dragon LNG and South Hook.

***Excellent results: Port boss Tom Sawyer has definitely got something to smile about***

Chief Executive Tom Sawyer said that the shift demonstrates the value of diversification in a volatile global energy climate. “Hospitality and tourism generated more income for us in 2024 than the busiest of our energy terminal customers,” the report confirms. “This should be very reassuring to all our stakeholders as it underpins our ability to invest with greater confidence in our core port operations.”

Port invests in community and renewables

As a trust port, Milford Haven has no shareholders. All profits are reinvested locally — and in 2024, more than £500,000 was delivered in community grants, youth outreach, environmental work, and local development.

The Port posted £43.2 million in turnover, a 4.6% rise on the previous year. Operating profits rose by 65.9% to £6.8 million, and net profit after tax stood at £1.9 million, reversing a £1 million loss in 2023. Diversified revenue now accounts for 45% of total income, up from 39% the year before.

Green energy future for Pembrokeshire

***Plans for new floating turbines in the Celtic Sea could provide enough power for more than 4 million homes***

The year also saw the official opening of the Pembroke Dock Marine facility — a £60 million infrastructure project supported by the Swansea Bay City Deal, with visits from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Welsh First Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales.

With the emergence of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) as a regional growth sector, and new hydrogen projects launching from Pembroke Port, the Port of Milford Haven is positioning itself as a central hub in Wales’ clean energy transition.

Two green hydrogen firms — ERM and Haush — launched operations in 2024, with trials underway and a 15MW electrolyser planned for local supply and refuelling uses.

Coastal tourism rises — jobs follow

Meanwhile, Milford Waterfront is booming. The Tŷ Hotel, operated by The Celtic Collection, exceeded expectations for its second full year, while McDonald’s, Greggs, Costa, and other outlets created 130 jobs over the past two and a half years.

Milford Marina reached 100% occupancy, with a growing waiting list. The area hosted thousands at events such as the Round Table’s fireworks display and beer festival. One luxury cruise ship, Star Legend, even brought cyclists from North America on a bespoke “Tour de Pembrokeshire”.

A new play park, accessibility upgrades, and repurposing of historic dockside buildings are all planned in 2025.

Changing priorities — and opportunities

***The Yasa Southern Cross, berthing at the Valero jetty, June 2025***

While energy remains the Port’s core operation, the fact that hospitality and tourism are now more valuable than its top energy customer sends a strong message about the changing economy of coastal Pembrokeshire.

Dr Siân George, the Port’s new Chair and a veteran of the marine renewables sector, said the shift was both strategic and symbolic: “This Port is anchored in its community. The fact that our strongest individual revenue stream in 2024 came from local tourism, not global energy, shows that our strategy is not just working — it’s transformative.”

Business

Wales Business Awards 2025 celebrates excellence across the nation

Published

6 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TWELVE outstanding Welsh businesses were honoured at the Wales Business Awards 2025 on Wednesday night (June 12), in a ceremony held at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne, the awards—organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid—brought together organisations from across the country to celebrate enterprise, innovation and growth.

Whitland-based consultancy Landsker Business Solutions was named Professional Services Firm of the Year, recognised for its high-quality support to both pre-start and established SMEs across Wales. The judges also praised the firm’s ambitious growth strategy and ongoing innovation.

Wayne Evans, Business Development Consultant at Landsker, said: “With our work being so focused on supporting SMEs in Wales to grow, adapt and thrive, it is an honour to have been recognised by industry peers. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to our clients for continuing to place their trust in us.”

One winner was also crowned Wales Business of the Year 2025, selected by headline sponsor Bevan Buckland LLP.

Other category winners included:

Celtic English Academy
Concrete Canvas Ltd
Educ8 Group
FleetEV
Nanopharm
PeoplePlus
Rockwool Ltd
Safran Seats GB
Simply Do Ideas
Tyre Glider Ltd
Wales Millennium Centre

Gus Williams, Interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The Wales Business Awards celebrate the very best of Welsh business, recognising those leading their sectors in key areas such as trade, sustainability and innovation, and positively contributing to the Welsh economic landscape. We’d like to congratulate all of our incredible winners, including Landsker Business Solutions, as well as our worthy finalists.”

Notes:
Bevan Buckland LLP was the headline sponsor of this year’s awards, with support from ACCA Cymru/Wales, Acuity Law, Atradius, Browne Jacobson, Copa Data, Dauson Environmental Group, Legal News Wales, SH&P, Thomas Carroll, Tramshed Tech, the Welsh Government and Xeinadin.

The Wales Business Awards are presented by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, which promotes, connects, supports and informs businesses across Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan.