Business

Housing crisis in Pembrokeshire: Empty properties hold the key

Published

2 days ago

January 27, 2025

SOCIAL or affordable housing in Pembrokeshire is one of the key challenges which the local authority is currently having to negotiate. But with over 8,000 people currently on the ‘choice housing’ selection process, the local authority’s task is a tough one.

The answer, according to property analyst Tom Rees, is staring Pembrokeshire firmly in the face. There are currently no fewer than 750 empty properties scattered throughout the county, with many located in the towns which are most in need – Haverfordwest and Milford Haven.

“We have a huge number of redundant properties in our county town alone, many of which are Grade II listed,” Tom Rees told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“By talking to the landlords and integrating with the prospective developers, we can begin thinking outside the box and devise restoration plans which will enhance the buildings but, most importantly, will also provide accommodation and commercial opportunities for the benefit of local people.

“The aim is to generate as much interest and awareness as possible and develop these buildings in a sensitive, architecturally sound way which will not only boost the towns’ heritage but which will also help address so many of our social and housing issues.”

Properties which Tom has already helped regenerate include the Old Snooker Hall in Haverfordwest and the town’s magnificent Wesleyan Chapel which has blighted Barn Street with its unsightly decay for many years. After extensive consultations with the planning authorities and their respective developers, both buildings will now house a number of social residential flats.

“Millions of pounds are currently being invested in Haverfordwest, yet throughout the town we’re seeing so many buildings with enormous potential being left to rot,” he said.

“My aim is to get Haverfordwest back to where it deserves to be by entering into conversation with the landlords and the developers on how this can be achieved.

“There are currently around 750 empty units in Pembrokeshire alone, and 90% of these are salvageable. The local authority is definitely on the same page as me and is doing as much as it can with compulsory purchases, but this process can be lengthy.

“This is why it’s important to start thinking outside the box and devise solutions to how these properties can be salvaged and put, once again, to good use.”

Tom’s initial discussions take place with the landlords.

“It’s important they understand how their property has reached whatever state it’s in and subsequently decide on the way forward. This can either be with a cash sale or entering into a joint venture.

“Around 99% of the properties in Haverfordwest High Street are owned by a few big landowners, so naturally considering the various ways forward can result in some tricky conversations.”

One way in which Tom seeks to alleviate the issue is by enhancing each property’s portfolio, particularly if the landlord is considering retirement.

“So many big time developers are being driven by how many new properties they can fit into a particular field, which isn’t remedying the social housing issues that are confronting Pembrokeshire,” continued Tom.

“Latest figures confirm that there are over 5,000 households on Pembrokeshire’s social housing waiting list, which has increased by more than 50% since 2018, so surely by renovating all those empty problems, this figure could be reduced considerably. And given their size, many of our empty buildings can accommodate up to 15 people”

The Wesleyan Chapel project was first started by its previous owner following planning consent in 2014 but is now undergoing fresh listed building consent applications with the local authority.

“So not only will the town now have new, much needed accommodation, but it will also have a beautiful looking building which will help improve the heritage of Haverfordwest,” said Tom. “And all these important architectural elements are being done correctly, such as the lead flashing, the slate roof, the correct windows and the proper woodwork, with the result that the chapel is being brought back to its former glory,”

A native of Llangwm, Tom trained as a commercial pilot, securing a job with Aer Lingus after a trial flight at Haverfordwest airfield when he was 16,

“I obviously enjoyed it because from then on I had two or three jobs to finance my flying lessons and got my full private pilot’s licence when I was 18.”

But the covid pandemic and its subsequent reduction in commercial flights brought him back to Pembrokeshire where he began taking an interest in property and set up Williams Property Investment.

“This is why I’m trying to do as much as I can to save some of the wonderful properties around us here in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “The solution to our housing shortage isn’t to build more houses. It’s to look around at what we already have and ensure everything is done to salvage them and bring them back to serve our towns and our county as they were originally intended.”

Business

UK Government Invests in Gigabit Broadband for South West Wales

Published

9 hours ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced a further investment in Project Gigabit, aiming to deliver high-speed broadband to hard-to-reach areas across Britain. Rural towns and villages in South West Wales are among the latest to benefit, as part of a wider effort to achieve near-total gigabit coverage by 2030.

The programme, a key pillar of the Government’s Plan for Change, is designed to stimulate economic growth and remove barriers to opportunity. The latest rollout will bring some of the fastest broadband speeds available to remote communities, enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare, remote education, and video communication. It is also expected to support business growth and improve job opportunities for young people.

Welsh leaders welcome investment

Cllr Hazel Evans, of Carmarthenshire County Council, welcomed the announcement, saying: “This is a much-needed boost as we strive to improve digital connectivity across Carmarthenshire. Further investment will help ensure our rural communities continue to prosper as we transition towards a more digital society.”

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s joint committee, also praised the initiative:

“This is fantastic news for the rural communities in our region. The Swansea Bay City Deal fully supports initiatives that improve the lives of people and businesses. This investment in digital infrastructure will create social and economic opportunities for communities that would otherwise be left behind.”

£289 million boost for broadband expansion

The announcement forms part of four new contracts worth over £289 million, aimed at delivering gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 131,000 homes and businesses across England and Wales.

Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections provide faster and more reliable service, even during peak times. Households and businesses will no longer need to compete for bandwidth, as these high-speed networks allow multiple devices to operate seamlessly.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the significance of the investment: “Powered by this UK Government funding, thousands more people and businesses across Wales will gain access to ultra-fast broadband. Our priority is to drive sustained economic growth, and to achieve this, we must ensure every part of Wales has full digital coverage as quickly as possible.”

Implementation and next steps

The Digital Infrastructure Programme is working closely with Building Digital UK (BDUK) and Openreach to deliver Project Gigabit. Further regional updates are expected in the coming months, outlining timeframes and specific locations set to benefit.

Upgrading and expanding existing networks is a complex process, requiring technical surveys and coordination between commercial providers and local authorities, including planning and highways departments. As a result, implementing gigabit-capable broadband can take time.

For further details about broadband plans in your area, residents are encouraged to contact their Digital Champion for more information.

Business

Welsh Govt-backed SME exports surpass £320m since Export Action Plan launch

Published

17 hours ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales have secured over £320 million in export deals directly supported by the Welsh Government since the introduction of its Export Action Plan in December 2020.

The government’s tailored export assistance includes comprehensive market research, strategies to identify new customers, and hands-on support to help businesses enter international markets and forge lasting partnerships.

This milestone follows a series of successful 2024 trade missions, which introduced 150+ Welsh businesses to key global markets. Highlights included enabling life sciences firms to exhibit at Medica in Düsseldorf and supporting fintech companies at Money 20/20 in Amsterdam.

Case Study: Brainbox Ltd
Cardiff-based Brainbox Ltd, a leader in non-invasive brain stimulation and imaging technology for neuroscience research, has achieved £5 million in new international contracts with Welsh Government backing.

Dan Phillips, Commercial Director at Brainbox, said: “Exporting has been pivotal to our growth, enabling us to showcase cutting-edge neuroscience solutions worldwide. The Welsh Government’s support has been instrumental in launching new products, building global relationships, and driving our expansion over the past five years. Their tailored approach exemplifies how strategic trade guidance can propel businesses onto the international stage.”

2025: A Year of Global Ambitions
The Welsh Government has announced seven international trade missions scheduled by March 2025, including:

Arab Health Expo in Dubai (January 2025)
Trade delegations to Singapore and Malaysia (February)
Participation in Gulfood Dubai, Foodex Tokyo, and the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco (March).

Additionally, the Explore Export Wales 2025 conferences in March will unite Wales’ “export ecosystem” of support services under one roof, offering SMEs expert advice on navigating global markets.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, commented: “Exporting empowers SMEs to scale up, create jobs, and bolster resilience in a competitive global economy. Despite recent challenges, our Export Action Plan has delivered undeniable value to Wales. We remain committed to ensuring businesses across the nation continue to thrive internationally in 2025 and beyond.”

Business

Harlech Foodservice steps in after Pembrokeshire Foods owners retire

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A FAST-GROWING food wholesale company has stepped in to support customers after the retirement of a couple who ran a rival business for more than 30 years.

Josiah and Steffi George, who operated Pembrokeshire Foods at Hasguard Cross, near Haverfordwest, decided to retire and ensure their loyal customers would be well cared for. The couple approached Harlech Foodservice, which will now supply more than 100 businesses across Pembrokeshire and into Ceredigion.

Last year, Harlech Foodservice expanded significantly, establishing offices and a distribution centre in Carmarthen as part of a £6 million investment. This growth has already created 70 new jobs, 15 of which are in South West Wales.

This isn’t Harlech’s first move into the area; the company previously acquired Celtic Foodservices in Pembroke Dock, describing the acquisition as a “perfect fit.”

In a letter to customers, Mr. and Mrs. George explained their decision:
“To ensure our customers have a supplier who cares about you and your business, we have approached Harlech Foodservice, who recently opened a site in Carmarthen, and asked them to provide ongoing service to your business.

“Harlech have a core customer base in the tourism and hospitality sectors, aligning perfectly with Pembrokeshire Foods. They offer a large range of around 5,000 lines across frozen foods, butchery, groceries, soft drinks, snacks, hygiene products, and disposables, all at genuinely competitive prices.

“Once again, thank you for supporting us over many years, and we wish you every success in the future.”

Harlech Managing Director David Cattrall called the partnership with Pembrokeshire Foods a significant step in the company’s ongoing expansion.

Since last April, Harlech has gained 943 new independent customers and 243 new contract customers across Wales and the English border counties. The company’s clients range from individual businesses to large local authorities, including a contract to supply Shropshire Council’s Shire Services.

Harlech’s expansion into South and West Wales has also been fruitful, with the Carmarthen and Merthyr Tydfil depots winning contracts worth nearly £500,000.

Mr. Cattrall commented:
“Steffi and Josiah can be rightly proud of what they have achieved over the past three decades, building a successful company that has played a key role in the local business community.

“We are grateful for their trust in Harlech Foodservice to look after their customers and to ‘deliver’ for them in every sense of the word. We wish them all the best for their well-deserved retirement.”

Steffi George added:
“Harlech Foodservice are a fantastic company with a huge range of excellent products and first-class customer service, so we are confident that our beloved customers will be in very good hands in the future.”

Caption:
Stepping into the breach: Harlech Foodservice Managing Director David Cattrall.