TWO PEMBROKESHIRE hotels have secured a leading international environmental accreditation.

St Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot and Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront have both achieved ISO 14001 certification, an independently audited standard recognising strong environmental management and continuous improvement.

The hotels are part of The Celtic Collection, Wales’ largest independent hotel group, which has now achieved the standard across all ten of its hotels in South Wales, as well as International Convention Centre Wales.

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

The accreditation recognises work already being carried out at the two Pembrokeshire hotels, including carbon reduction strategies, zero waste to landfill, and improved recycling systems.

Food waste from the hotels is sent to be turned into biogas renewable energy, while waste oil is converted into biodiesel.

Both hotels also work with local and seasonal suppliers, including Pembrokeshire food producers, helping to reduce food miles while supporting farmers and fishermen in the county.

The Celtic Collection said the certification builds on more than 30 years of sustainable business practice and follows the group achieving Green Dragon Level 4 status in 2025.

‘RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS’

Russell Phillips, Vice-President of Facilities and Development at The Celtic Collection said: “Across The Celtic Collection we combine exceptional hospitality and large-scale event capability with a commitment to responsible delivery.

“This is now all underpinned by ISO 14001, which ensures we are continually reducing our impact on the environment.

“Achieving ISO 14001 has been a long-held goal for The Celtic Collection and demonstrates our investment in and commitment to becoming a more responsible business.”

Energy and Sustainability Manager Fitzroy Hutchinson said colleagues across the hotels had played a key role in the achievement.

He said: “A key focus for the team has been the successful activation of colleagues in driving positive and continuous change.

“At each of our hotels, Environmental Working Parties include representatives from across the business to ensure sound environmental practice is part of everyday, and that new ideas are brought forward frequently.”

CERTIFICATION PRAISED

William Christie, Director of accrediting body A Cube TIC said: “We recognise that this journey requires commitment, leadership and hard work from everyone.

“This is required to not only achieve the certification but also to maintain the certification.

“This is a remarkable milestone that reflects strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices.”

Photo caption: Green standard: Team members at St Brides Spa Hotel and Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront celebrate achieving ISO 14001 certification.

THE CELTIC COLLECTION has achieved a major international sustainability certification covering all of its hotels, including Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront.

The ISO 14001 certification recognises the group’s environmental management systems, including waste reduction, carbon-cutting measures, recycling, biodiversity work and long-term governance around sustainability.

The Celtic Collection, Wales’ largest independent hotel group, operates Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven. It also manages St Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot, which was acquired by the Port in 2024.

The certification also covers Celtic Manor Resort, Coldra Court Hotel, The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, the Tŷ hotels at Magor and Newport, and ICC Wales.

The group said all of its hotels send zero waste to landfill and operate carbon reduction strategies. Food waste is sent to be turned into biogas renewable energy, while waste oil is recycled into biodiesel.

Russell Phillips, Vice-President of Facilities and Development at The Celtic Collection, said: “Across The Celtic Collection we combine exceptional hospitality and large-scale event capability with a commitment to responsible delivery.

“This is now all underpinned by ISO 14001 which ensures we are continually reducing our impact on the environment.”

Energy and Sustainability Manager Fitzroy Hutchinson said staff across the group had played a key role, with environmental working parties set up at each hotel to encourage ideas and improve day-to-day practice.

The award is part of the group’s wider Environmental, Social and Governance strategy, which includes a commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Picture caption: Team members at Celtic Manor Resort with the ISO 14001 certification.

ONE of Wales’ best-known bakery brands has been acquired by Boparan Private Office in a deal said to secure the future of the business and protect hundreds of jobs.

Brace’s Bakery, founded in 1902, has been bought by Boparan Private Office, the family-owned group linked to some of the UK’s largest food manufacturing operations.

The announcement comes after growing concern over the future of the Welsh bakery, with fears over jobs and production amid falling demand for traditional sliced bread and major pressure on costs.

Brace’s is a fourth-generation family business and one of the best-known bakery brands in Wales, supplying bread, rolls and bakery products to major retailers and independent shops across Wales and the West of England.

Boparan Private Office said the acquisition would bring together Brace’s “strong regional heritage and brand recognition” with its experience of investing in British food businesses.

The group recently acquired Roberts Bakery, based in Cheshire, in 2025.

‘Iconic brand’

Ranjit Singh Boparan, President of Boparan Private Office, said: “Brace’s is an iconic brand with a rich heritage, and we are delighted to have been able to reach an agreement to step in and preserve this business, while helping to take it into a new era through investment, innovation and modernisation.

“Brace’s Bakery has been at the heart of its communities for generations, and we are absolutely committed to supporting its long-term success.

“Our focus is on providing the backing and stability the business needs to move forward and build a sustainable future while maintaining the identity and quality that customers trust.”

He said there were opportunities to invest in innovation across products, manufacturing, customer service and routes to market, while keeping the brand true to its values.

Mr Boparan also acknowledged the uncertainty faced by workers during the sale process.

He said: “We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous commitment and loyalty the Brace’s workforce has demonstrated during this challenging period.

“I recognise there has been uncertainty while discussions have taken place, which have admittedly taken longer than expected as we worked to ensure everything was in place for customers, the management team and all colleagues.”

‘A clear path forward’

Mark Brace, Managing Director at Brace’s Bakery, said the deal was an important step for the company.

He said: “This is an important step for Brace’s Bakery, and my brother and fellow director, Jonathan, and I are both delighted that Boparan Private Office has stepped in to give the brand the opportunity to build on almost 125 years of baking heritage as we move into a new era.

“Boparan Private Office understands the importance of the Brace’s brand, its people and the communities we serve.

“Their support provides a clear path forward for the business, allowing us to focus on strengthening Brace’s operations and continuing to deliver the quality products our customers expect.”

Changing market

The takeover follows a difficult period for the traditional bakery sector.

Brace’s has previously pointed to a sharp decline in demand for standard sliced bread, with changing consumer habits putting pressure on one of its core products.

Across the UK, shoppers have increasingly moved towards sourdough, seeded loaves, wraps, flatbreads, higher-fibre products and other alternatives, while many households no longer rely on toast and sandwiches in the way they once did.

At the same time, bakeries have faced rising energy, ingredient, wage, packaging and transport costs.

The deal means Brace’s, one of Wales’ most recognisable food brands, will now become part of a much larger food group with significant manufacturing interests.

Boparan Private Office is a family-owned conglomerate with divisions covering agriculture and property, UK food manufacturing, restaurants and European poultry operations.

The wider group is one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, with turnover of more than €5 billion and around 25,000 employees.

For Wales, the announcement will be seen as a major intervention in the future of a household name which has been part of Welsh life for more than a century.

The key question now will be how much investment follows, what happens to production across Brace’s sites, and whether the new owner can modernise the brand while keeping its Welsh identity intact.