News

Call to continue funding Visit Pembrokeshire until 2029

Published

5 months ago

July 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

National Park to weigh continued support amid uncertainty over tourism levy

A DECISION on whether to continue funding the county’s main tourism marketing body, Visit Pembrokeshire, will be made at a meeting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on Tuesday (July 30).

The Authority is being asked to consider financial support for the organisation covering the period 2026 to 2029, as questions remain over whether a visitor levy will be introduced in future.

Background to funding deal

A report prepared for members recalls that in February 2020, the Authority agreed to support the formation of Visit Pembrokeshire as a standalone, trade-led Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO). The DMO was tasked with leading the county’s Destination Management Plan and promoting Pembrokeshire as a visitor destination.

Its work includes destination marketing campaigns, industry liaison, research, branding, events, and providing business support.

Visit Pembrokeshire was formally established in November 2020. In September 2021, the Authority amended its original offer of in-kind support to a £25,000 annual cash contribution, to help the organisation secure grant match funding. That arrangement remains in place but ends this year.

County council backs long-term funding

On July 7, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed to provide Visit Pembrokeshire with a flat-rate grant of £152,000 per year from April 2026 to March 2029.

The National Park Authority is now being asked to decide whether it will also continue its own support for the same period.

Uncertainty over visitor levy

The report notes a “key change on the horizon”—the potential introduction of a visitor levy in Wales. Pembrokeshire County Council has said it will not introduce a levy before 2027, leaving any future decision in the hands of a new administration.

If introduced, some of the revenue from the levy could be used to fund Visit Pembrokeshire and improve local visitor infrastructure, such as public toilets. Without a levy, the report warns, the organisation may need to rely entirely on membership fees and lose public sector backing.

Funding options on the table

The report outlines four options for the Authority:

End funding completely, saving £25,000 but reducing influence on tourism planning
Maintain funding at £25,000 per year
Reduce the contribution by 10% to £22,500
Introduce a phased reduction, starting at £25,000 and falling to £20,000 by 2028-29

The report concludes that, despite a significant financial deficit, “there are strong strategic reasons why the Authority should support Visit Pembrokeshire until 2029.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.