Entertainment

The economic impact of tourism on rural Welsh communities

Published

4 months ago

October 23, 2025

Tourism has become the engine of many rural parts of Wales, Pembrokeshire included. Each summer, the caravans roll in, tents pop up on fields, and cottages that stood empty in spring suddenly have lights in every window. That shift is more than a seasonal sight; it’s the difference between a quiet village scraping by and one that has money moving through every till on the high street.

Local spend

B&Bs and guest houses are the most obvious winners. Families book them months ahead, filling every spare bed from Tenby to Fishguard. Once those families arrive, they eat out, they stock up at shops, and they visit the pubs at night. Even the small places feel it. A newsagent in Newport sells more ice creams in July than in the rest of the year combined. Farmers open their fields for parking or sell produce at the gate.

It stretches into sport as well. Local rugby clubs, football teams, and rowing groups all benefit when sponsors can afford to put their name on shirts or help with new kit. Without the surge of summer trade, many of those connections wouldn’t exist.

How visitors spend

Tourism isn’t just buckets and spades anymore. Visitors plan their trips differently now. They scroll through reviews, compare cottages online, and book activities long before they reach the coast. A holidaymaker standing on the harbour at Saundersfoot has already paid for the boat trip weeks earlier with a few taps on their phone.

The same behaviour shows up in online leisure. Casino players look for platforms with the highest payout rates, because value matters as much as the game itself. Tourists act the same way in Pembrokeshire. They weigh up what they’ll get for the price. Choosing a cottage that throws in parking, a café that feels worth the bill, or an attraction that gives a full day’s experience. The thinking is simple: money should stretch as far as possible. That approach is reshaping how local businesses present themselves, putting more focus on value and clarity.

Strain on infrastructure

The sudden crowds also show up in pressure points. Roads into Pembrokeshire are jammed on Saturdays. Parking in Tenby or St Davids becomes impossible by mid-morning on sunny days. Broadband that feels fine in March slows to a crawl in July when every cottage, tent, and caravan tries to stream at once.

Locals grumble about the inconvenience, but they also admit that the pressure brings investment. New bus routes, resurfaced roads, and stronger broadband don’t just serve the visitors; they make life easier for those who live here full-time. The trade-off is ongoing, and it shapes how communities prepare for the future.

Culture and identity

Tourism also supports events that keep rural traditions alive. Agricultural shows, summer fairs, and regattas rely on ticket sales and visiting crowds. Without them, some of those gatherings would fade. Instead, they pull in tourists and locals together, creating moments where culture and economy overlap.

Grassroots sport is lifted in the same way. Football tournaments or local fun runs grow in scale when tourists join in, boosting entry fees and keeping facilities open. The money matters, but so does the sense of community pride that comes with a full crowd on the touchline.

Entertainment

Community film season launches at Torch Theatre with audience-picked programme

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Grant from Ffilm Cymru Wales helps bring affordable independent cinema to Pembrokeshire

A SEASON of independent films chosen by local audiences is coming to Milford Haven this spring, as the Torch Theatre hosts a special programme designed to celebrate bold storytelling and community cinema.

Running from February through to mid-April, the Community Choices season has been made possible thanks to Wales-wide grant funding from Ffilm Cymru Wales. The scheme supports independent exhibitors to bring diverse and inspiring films to screens across the country.

At the Torch, audiences were invited to take part in programming workshops to help select the titles themselves. The final line-up reflects a mix of Welsh-language work, environmentally themed films and stories that break down social and economic barriers, ensuring something for all tastes.

Chelsey Gillard, the theatre’s Artistic Director, said: “We asked you, the people of Pembrokeshire, what films you wanted to see at the Torch – and we listened. There’s a terrific variety in this season, from family favourites to powerful dramas. We’re very grateful to Ffilm Cymru Wales for the funding that allows us to bring these wonderful films to the big screen, and we look forward to giving everyone a warm Torch welcome.”

The programme opens with Mr Burton on Sunday, February 8 at 4:15pm, followed by Flow on Tuesday, February 17 at 4:45pm. Fantastic Mr Fox screens on February 19 at 4:45pm, with Moonlight closing the month on Friday, February 20 at 6:15pm.

March’s line-up includes Born Free on March 4 at 2:15pm, Earth on March 12 at 11:00am, Sinners on March 15 at 7:00pm, Booksmart on March 22 at 2:00pm, and Gwledd (The Feast) on March 27 at 8:00pm.

The season continues into April with I Swear on April 2 at 2:00pm, One Battle After Another on April 5 at 4:00pm, and This is Spinal Tap on April 12 at 4:00pm, bringing the Community Choices series to a close.

All tickets are priced at £4 and include a free tea or coffee, helping to keep the screenings affordable and accessible for everyone.

For tickets and full details, visit the Torch Theatre website or call the box office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

One Night in Dublin returns to the Torch with a brand-new show

Published

3 days ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN is heading back to the stage at the Torch Theatre with a lively new production fronted by renowned Irish singer Danny Muldoon.

Tickets are already selling fast for the feel-good celebration of Irish music, which promises two hours of songs, stories and plenty of craic.

Backed by an award-winning five-piece band, Muldoon leads audiences through a packed set of sing-along favourites including Galway Girl, Tell Me Ma, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar, The Wild Rover and The Galway Shawl, along with many more well-loved classics.

The show recreates the atmosphere of a bustling Dublin pub, complete with fiddle, whistle, guitars, banjo, bodhrán, accordion and driving drums, transporting the audience straight into “Murphy’s Tavern” for an unforgettable night of live entertainment.

Fans can also expect hits from Irish legends including The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, The Dubliners, The Fureys, Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys.

One Night in Dublin comes to the Torch Theatre on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £26.50. Visit the theatre website or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267 to book.

Entertainment

New appeal in search for missing Manic Street Preachers musician

Published

6 days ago

January 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family and charity issue fresh appeal for information about guitarist 31 years on

THIRTY-ONE years after the disappearance of Richey Edwards, a new public appeal has been issued urging anyone with information to come forward.

Edwards, guitarist and lyricist with Manic Street Preachers, vanished on January 31, 1995, in a case that has become one of the most enduring mysteries in British music history.

***Missing for over 30 years: Richey Edwards***

The then 27-year-old was last seen at the Embassy Hotel Bayswater in west London, where he had been staying ahead of a promotional trip to the United States. He checked out of room 561 but never reached his destination.

Despite numerous reported sightings over the years, none have ever been confirmed. Edwards was officially declared presumed dead in 2008, though his family continue to mark the anniversary of his disappearance and keep hope alive that answers may still emerge.

Anniversary appeal

The charity Missing People has released a statement in collaboration with Edwards’ sister Rachel, asking the public to remember the case.

In a social media post, the organisation said: “It is 31 years since Richard went missing, please keep his family in your thoughts.”

They also repeated key identifying details from the time he vanished. Edwards was described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, slim, with brown eyes and a shaved head. He had several distinctive tattoos, including a rose with the words ‘Useless Generation’, the phrase ‘I’ll surf this beach’, and a scar on his lower left arm where he had scratched the words ‘4 REAL’.

Unanswered questions

His car was later found near the Severn Bridge services, close to the Welsh border, prompting widespread searches but yielding no firm clues about what happened next.

At the time of his disappearance, the band were on the brink of international success. Edwards’ intense, literate songwriting and striking image had already made him a defining figure in Welsh rock music. More than three decades later, fans still hold vigils, create murals and share tributes across Wales and beyond.

Police say the case remains open.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Service on 101 or use their online reporting service, quoting reference CONNECT REF 01/764429/24. Missing People also operates a free, confidential helpline on 116 000.