Business
Boost for town: Local celebrity Matt Baker to take on the Castle Hotel
A WELL known local musician and radio DJ is to take on a landmark business in Haverfordwest. The nine bedroom Castle Hotel is probably one of Pembrokeshire’s best known venues – but Matt Baker says it is now under new management.
Matt Baker is not doing things slowly, with a planned opening of the premises on May 28 promising live music, good food and a relaxing atmosphere for all ages. For what is sure to be a positive piece of news for Haverfordwest’s ailing town centre, he is currently advertising for staff, thus creating jobs.
Matt, who previously ran The Tiddly, made his announcement on his Facebook page this morning (May 16), with hundreds of people liking the post and many more wishing him well with his new venture.
He wrote: “Well folks I got some exciting news.
“As most of you know cruise ships have been a big part of my life, 16 years on and off.
“In between that I did open my own pub here in Pembrokeshire call The Tiddly and worked me bottom off to provide a great place for people to come and switch off with live music every night.
“That unfortunately had to come to an end and I have missed it very much.
Well, seeing as I can’t go back to ships at the moment I’ve decided to take on an adventure I
“I’ve always dreamed one day I would own and that is a Hotel.
“It’s not just any Hotel, but one full of amazing history right here in the heart of Pembrokeshire and right in the Center of Haverfordwest.
“Everyone said when I was at The Tiddly “we love it here but we wish you were in town” as The Tiddly was 3 miles outside of Haverfordwest.
“I’m super excited to start a new chapter in my life and with the support of the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond and I’m hoping it will be life long.
“The Hotel has nine beautiful rooms on suite and a lovely restaurant area and a lounge/bar which I’m planning to have all up and running very soon, all been refurbished by the way.
We still are In uncertain times but I’m hoping we are at the back end and can enjoy each other’s company like before and socialise.
“I’m bringing back live music, good food and drink, and a place to come and switch off for all age groups with a comfortable and enjoyable environment.
“I’m planning for the 28th of May to be open, that’s in just under 2 weeks, but if you know me, you know I like a challenge.
“Please come support and follow all guidelines for now as we move forward in these new times.
“I will look forward to welcoming you to The Castle Hotel with open arms and let’s make more great memories together.
“See you soon Pembrokeshire and beyond!”
Business
“Unlikely to be any relaxation on planning” in Freeport area
THERE IS “unlikely to be any relaxation on planning” in Pembrokeshire’s Freeport area, councillors heard.
In late March 2023 it was announced that Pembrokeshire had been chosen as part of the site for one of Wales’ first freeports, with hopes it will share in the creation of 16,000 new jobs.
The Celtic Freeport will be shared between Milford Haven and Port Talbot, with a second Welsh freeport on Anglesey.
The Celtic Freeport bid was lodged on behalf of a public-private consortium, whose partners include Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.
The freeport aims to attract significant investment, including £3.5bn in the hydrogen industry, as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900m in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030, and £13bn by 2050.
The UK Government will provide up to £26m of starter funding for each of the freeports.
In a submitted question heard at the May 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, member of the public Helen Meopham had asked: “Are councillors aware of the extent of the proposed boundary of the Celtic Freeport, and, if so, could they provide me with a boundary map?
“I understand that PCC have a seat on the board of the Celtic Freeport. Considering the Freeport boundary may include residential areas and that planning and/or other regulations may be ‘relaxed’ in the Freeport area how will council avoid and resolve any conflict between Freeport interest and resident interests?”
Responding, Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the final boundary map was expected to be published later in the summer.
He added the Freeport boundary would not include any residential areas, and there was “unlikely to be any relaxation on planning”.
Business
Tata Steel Sticks to job cut plans despite Welsh pressure
IN an intense and pivotal meeting in Mumbai, Tata Steel firmly reiterated its decision to cut 2,800 jobs in the UK, primarily impacting the Port Talbot site, despite urgent appeals from Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething. Mr. Gething, who recently met with senior executives, expressed his disappointment at the firm’s unwavering stance unless there’s a shift in the UK government.
Despite these challenging circumstances, the First Minister underscored his commitment to protect jobs and prevent compulsory redundancies across Welsh sites. This dialogue comes as Tata plans to close both blast furnaces at Port Talbot by September, replacing them with a greener electric arc furnace by summer 2025, which promises to preserve thousands of jobs and reduce CO2 emissions significantly.
The Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, criticised Mr. Gething’s approach, suggesting that while the UK government has offered substantial financial aid, the Welsh government has only funded the First Minister’s travel to India. He accused Mr. Gething of “globetrotting” at a time of domestic scrutiny over controversial donations to his Welsh Labour leadership campaign.
Mr. Gething defended his trip, stating, “How can I sit at home and not be here in Mumbai, fighting for thousands of workers’ jobs?” He highlighted the potential of a change in leadership, with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer poised to possibly become the next Prime Minister, which he believes could usher in a new era of capital investment for the steel industry.
Amid the uncertainty of an upcoming general election, possibly scheduled between October and January, there is concern that any governmental changes may arrive too late to alter Tata’s current trajectory. Tata CEO TV Narendran described the discussions as productive but maintained the company’s strategic direction, emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable future in the UK steel industry.
The GMB union and members of the Community steelworkers’ union have voiced strong opposition, with recent votes favouring industrial action against the restructuring plans. Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesman, Luke Fletcher, has called for the nationalisation of the steel industry, labeling Tata’s current worker treatment as “appalling.”
Meanwhile, both parties acknowledged areas of mutual benefit, such as potential investments around Port Talbot and collaborations with Welsh universities on green steel production. The First Minister also highlighted opportunities linked to the Global Centre of Rail Excellence near Neath, with Tata considering a formal agreement.
As Mr. Gething returns from Mumbai, the situation remains tense, with the future of many steelworkers hanging in the balance and the Welsh and UK governments at odds over the best course of action to mitigate job losses and transition to sustainable steel production.
Business
Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons
PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.
CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.
Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.
The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.
We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”
The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.
Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.
During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.
For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.
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