CREST HOTEL GROUP says it is investigating safeguarding concerns after staff at the Imperial Hotel in Tenby raised alarm over a senior employee who they say has a conviction linked to indecent images of children.

The Herald understands concerns were raised internally after staff became aware that a senior member of the hotel group’s guest experience team was alleged to be a convicted sex offender and subject to safeguarding restrictions.

The Imperial Hotel, on The Paragon, is one of Tenby’s best-known seafront hotels and regularly welcomes families and children.

Staff concern

A source at the hotel, who asked not to be named, told The Herald that employees were deeply worried after becoming aware of the man’s background.

The source said staff had raised safeguarding concerns because children and families are regularly present at the hotel.

They also alleged that, during a staff meeting after concerns were raised, management said they were aware of the matter, stood by the employee, and did not believe he presented a risk.

The Herald has not been able to independently verify everything said at that meeting, but has put the allegations directly to Crest Hotels Group.

Company response

A solicitor acting for Crest Hotels Group confirmed the company was aware of the safeguarding concerns raised.

Minesh Patel, of Keystone Law, said: “Our client considers the safety of its guests and employees of paramount importance and have appropriate safeguards, supervision and risk management oversight in place.

“Our client will be investigating the allegations and at this stage have no reason to suspect the safety of their guests, visitors or employees has been compromised.”

He added that, as the matter related to an individual employee, it would not be appropriate for the company to comment further on confidential employment matters.

Crest Hotels Group also asked The Herald to refrain from publishing “speculation or unsubstantiated facts”.

Public interest

The Herald is not naming the individual at this stage while further checks are carried out.

However, the case raises clear questions about safeguarding, transparency, risk assessments, and the reassurance given to staff working in a family hotel environment.

Crest Hotels Group’s own website lists a Group Director of Guest Experience role among its senior team, describing the role as one which shapes “every moment of a guest’s journey”.

The company has not denied that safeguarding concerns were raised by staff.

Nor has it denied that it is investigating allegations involving an employee.

The Herald has asked Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council whether any safeguarding concerns have been reported to them.

More follows.

MILFORD WATERFRONT is set to welcome visitors to its first-ever Harbour Fest on June 27, with a day-long celebration of the area’s rich maritime heritage, local businesses and coastal community.

The free festival, running from 10am to 6pm, will transform the waterfront into a vibrant hub of activity, featuring live music, entertainment, food and family-friendly attractions. Organisers say the event aims to showcase the unique character of Milford Haven while celebrating the start of the summer season.

Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of heritage and maritime-themed activities alongside contributions from many of Milford Waterfront’s independent businesses. Chocolatiers, artisan makers, galleries, museums and a range of attractions both on and off the water will take part in the festivities, highlighting the diversity of the destination.

Harbour Fest is expected to draw residents and tourists alike, offering an opportunity to explore the waterfront, support local businesses and experience the area’s strong connection to the sea.

For those wishing to make a weekend of the event, Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront is offering accommodation overlooking the marina. Bed and breakfast stays start from £108 per night for two people sharing, while family rooms for four are available from £193 per night.

Further information about Harbour Fest can be found at Milford Waterfront’s website.

A KEBAB manufacturer has been fined £500,000 after a court heard products sold as lamb contained little actual lamb and were instead made up largely of skin, fat and other meats.

Kismet Kebabs Ltd, based in Chelmsford, Essex, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after previously admitting fraud by false representation.

The company was also ordered to pay £259,298 in costs.

The case was brought following an investigation led by Swansea Council’s trading standards team, which found products supplied to takeaways and restaurants did not match the meat content declared on their labels.

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds told the court the firm had misled wholesalers, retailers and customers over a prolonged period.

He said products described as lamb contained a mixture of fat, skin, goat, mutton, mechanically reclaimed meat and other lower-grade products.

In one example, a lamb doner labelled as containing 87% lamb was found to contain only 51% meat and 40% fat.

The investigation began after trading standards officers carried out sampling at kebab houses and restaurants in late 2020 and early 2021.

Further testing at wholesalers found major differences between what was stated on labels and what the products actually contained.

Officers later visited Kismet’s factory in Chelmsford, where concerns were raised about production, packaging and labelling.

The court heard invoices showed the firm was buying very little lamb, but large quantities of skin, fat, goat and other products.

Kismet’s barrister, Stuart Jessop, said the firm had operated successfully for many years and had since made significant changes. He said the company had “taken its eye off the ball” at the time of the offending, but argued that forcing it out of business would benefit nobody.

Judge Huw Rees said fraudulent activity had been “endemic” at the company and described the dishonesty as considerable and prolonged.

The company has been given four years to pay the fine and costs.