INDEPENDENT shop owners in Pembrokeshire have warned that rising costs and increasing pressures could threaten the future of small high-street businesses, during a meeting with local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz.

Senior members of the Federation of Independent Retailers met the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS on Friday (Feb 20) at a Tenby store run by Vince and Fiona Malone.

The couple, who expanded their retail and Post Office business from three staff in 2014 to fourteen employees today, said they were now facing significant financial pressures. These include rising business rates expected to take effect in April, higher employer National Insurance contributions, and above-inflation increases to the National Living Wage.

The meeting also covered the Federation’s manifesto for the upcoming Senedd elections in May, which calls for action to tackle retail crime, reduce cost burdens on small businesses, and ensure the proposed Deposit Return Scheme for recycling is cost-neutral and aligned with the rest of the UK.

Samuel Kurtz MS, who has represented the area since 2021, is standing in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency at the election, which will see the Senedd expand from 60 to 96 members under a new proportional representation system.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Kurtz said he valued the opportunity to hear directly from retailers about the challenges they face, adding that their experience would help inform political discussions ahead of the election.

Vince Malone said the Federation had written to all candidates standing in the new constituency and looked forward to meeting representatives from other political parties in the coming weeks.

RYANAIR has announced its Summer 2026 schedule from Cardiff Airport, offering five routes including popular holiday destinations Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife, as well as the city break favourite Dublin.

The low-cost airline said it will increase frequencies on four routes — Alicante, Dublin, Faro and Malaga — giving Welsh passengers more travel options and improved connectivity throughout the summer season.

Flights are now available to book via the Ryanair app, with fares starting from £29.99.

Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan said: “Ryanair is pleased to launch our Summer 2026 schedule at Cardiff, offering five routes with extra frequencies on four of these routes, including holiday hotspots like Alicante, Faro and Malaga, as well as the top city break destination Dublin. This provides Welsh customers with even more low-fare choice and regular connections for their Summer 2026 getaways.”

Cardiff Airport Chief Executive Jon Bridge welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of the Dublin route in particular.

He said: “It’s great to see Ryanair strengthening its commitment to Cardiff Airport, with the Dublin service now operating daily throughout the summer and increasing to twice daily on selected days in October 2026. This is a hugely popular route, particularly for business travellers, providing a vital gateway between Ireland and Wales and strengthening economic ties between our Celtic nations.

“Alongside Dublin, we’re delighted to see Ryanair offering a strong portfolio of summer destinations from Cardiff, including Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife. These routes provide fantastic choice for Welsh travellers seeking a well-earned break, while also supporting tourism and connectivity.”

The airport said the expansion reflects continued demand for convenient low-cost travel from Wales.

PLANS for retractable awnings to protect visitors to a Pembrokeshire village beachside café have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Saundersfoot Beach Company sought permission for the erection of two manually controlled full cassette awnings at the Beachside Cafe, to the rear of the Old Chemist Inn, The Strand, Saundersfoot.

No objections were received from local community council Saundersfoot.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The café is a modern, stone-clad kiosk building, which serves café food and drinks. It faces east onto the sands of Saundersfoot Beach, to the north of Saundersfoot Harbour, with views of Saundersfoot Bay and the wider Carmarthen Bay beyond.”

It added: “The property is accessed from the beach, and through the ‘Old Chemist Inn’ and lies amongst a mixture of modern and traditional buildings within Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“This application proposes attaching two canvas full cassette awnings to the principal (east) elevation of the kiosk building. It is considered by this authority that the proposal is acceptable, subject to suitably worded conditions and a recommendation to grant consent is made.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.