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Royal Mail faces historic takeover by Czech billionaire

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THE ROYAL MAIL a cornerstone of British postal services for over 500 years, is poised for a historic change of ownership. The board of its parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS), has agreed to a formal takeover offer from Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. The £5 billion deal includes the assumption of existing debts.

Křetínský, who has expressed his “utmost respect” for the Royal Mail’s history and tradition, has committed to maintaining the company’s name, brand, UK headquarters, and tax residency. He has also vowed to safeguard employee benefits and pensions.

Despite these assurances, the deal will be subject to scrutiny under the National Security and Investment Act. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch retains the power to examine and potentially block the takeover. The market reflects some scepticism, with Royal Mail’s shares trading below the 370p per share offered by Křetínský, indicating concerns over possible government intervention.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has indicated that the bid will undergo “normal” national security scrutiny but stated there is no opposition to the deal in principle. Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has stressed the importance of Royal Mail’s role in the UK and outlined conditions he believes Křetínský’s offer should meet.

In his latest update, Křetínský acknowledged the “enormous responsibility” of owning Royal Mail, highlighting his commitment to the company’s employees and the public who rely on its services. He detailed a series of commitments, including maintaining the universal service obligation, which mandates six-day letter deliveries and five-day parcel deliveries across the UK.

Royal Mail has faced significant challenges in recent years, with declining letter volumes and financial losses. IDS reported a small profit last year, solely due to its German and Canadian logistics businesses. In response, Royal Mail has suggested service reductions, such as cutting second class deliveries to every other weekday, to save up to £300 million annually.

The proposed takeover includes several protections, such as preserving the universal service, retaining the Royal Mail brand, and respecting union demands against compulsory redundancies until 2025. Keith Williams, IDS chair, stated that the board had secured a “far-reaching package of legally binding undertakings and commitments,” deeming Křetínský’s offer “fair and reasonable.”

Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), has called for “more extensive assurance” regarding the future of the UK postal service. The CWU plans to engage with Labour and other stakeholders to advocate for a new ownership model that gives postal workers a say in key decisions.

The IDS board’s approval marks the beginning of a process that will include a shareholder vote at the next annual general meeting in September. The Department for Business and Trade expects any prospective buyer to engage with government officials.

Who is Daniel Křetínský?

Daniel Křetínský, 48, is a Czech businessman and lawyer with a net worth of £6 billion. He made his fortune in the Central and Eastern European energy sector and has diversified his investments into retail and logistics. His portfolio includes significant stakes in Sainsbury’s, Footlocker, and West Ham United, among others.

Known as the “quiet sphinx” for his discreet style, Křetínský owns luxurious properties in London and Paris and a share of the Velaa private island resort in the Maldives. His business interests in the UK are managed through Vesa Equity Investment, registered in Luxembourg.

The potential acquisition of Royal Mail by Křetínský represents a significant shift in the ownership of one of the UK’s most historic institutions. The coming months will reveal whether this deal will proceed and how it will impact the future of postal services in Britain.

For ongoing coverage and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to The Pembrokeshire Herald.

Business

Bluestone National Park Resort pledges support to armed forces community

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BLUESTONE National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to pledge its commitment to the UK Armed Forces as the country commemorates Armistice Day.

Bluestone, which employs several former armed forces personnel, marked Armistice Day on 11, with a commitment to reaching gold status on the covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly.

The Covenant aims to eliminate disadvantage and ensure that no member of the armed forces community faces discrimination in providing public and commercial services compared to any other citizen.

Glenn Hewer, Head of Sales at Bluestone, is a former Royal Marine who volunteers with the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines. He said: “More and more employees recognise the importance and significance that former armed personnel have and play in their communities and workplaces. The covenant is a commitment to them and a recognition of what they and their families have sacrificed for us.

“Additionally, ex-forces personnel make great employees in all walks of life. They are highly trained in a wide range of skills and bring many benefits to businesses. Providing an opportunity that allows them to further their careers outside the military is a great way of supporting them and their families.”

This commitment has also led Bluestone to join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze award. The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses bronze, silver, and gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support for defence and the armed forces community.

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone National Park Resort who is also a veteran of the Royal Engineers, said: “At Bluestone, we deeply value the contribution of the Armed Forces community to our country.

“We are proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrate our commitment to supporting them. We believe it’s important to recognise the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families and ensure they are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve. We are committed to attaining the Gold ERS as we build our relationship with the armed forces community.”

Craig Middle, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the Ministry of Defence, said: “We are delighted that Bluestone National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. This is a fantastic example of a business recognising the value that serving personnel, veterans and their families bring to the workplace and wider society.”

Marten added: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a living document, and Bluestone is committed to updating its pledge to reflect its ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.”

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Small business briefing hosted by Local MS

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A BRIEFING event which considered how to best support small businesses in Wales has been hosted by Preseli Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Paul Davies. Mr Davies hosted the event in partnership with the Development Bank of Wales, Economic Intelligence Wales and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. The theme of the event was ‘productivity’, given that Wales has had a persistent productivity gap with the UK as a whole and with other international competitor regions.

Mr Davies said, “It’s always a pleasure to help facilitate discussions on how we can support small businesses across Wales. 99.3% of businesses in Wales are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) and it’s important for us to explore the opportunities there are to boost SME growth.”

“Business-friendly policies are needed to address Wales’s persistent productivity gap, and we heard from the speakers today that more support is needed in areas like skills development, infrastructure enhancements and planning.”

“As I’ve said before, the Welsh Government has some significant economic levers, and it must now use those levers to create conditions for growth in Wales. We know that when small businesses thrive, they create jobs, spread prosperity and keep our communities vibrant and it’s crucial that governments at all levels do more to support our small businesses and enable them to grow.”

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Bristol Trader to temporarily serve menu at the Castle Hotel

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The team of a popular riverside pub in Pembrokeshire, devastated by a recent fire, will relocate to a new town centre location while repair work is carried out on the original site.

On Wednesday, 6 November, a fire broke out at The Bristol Trader, situated on Haverfordwest’s riverside, causing significant damage to the building. The fire affected two floors of the pub as well as the roof space, forcing its closure. Smoke from the blaze was visible across the town as firefighters from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven worked for two hours to extinguish the flames.

Following the incident, the pub’s owners expressed their sadness, describing the team as “absolutely heartbroken” but determined to reopen and come back stronger. They extended their gratitude to the regulars, locals, friends, and family who have offered their support during this difficult time.

In the meantime, The Bristol Trader team will continue operating from an alternative venue. Beginning Monday, 18 November, the pub will relocate to the restaurant of the Castle Hotel, located on Haverfordwest Square, where they’ll serve the same menu.

“While repairs are being made to The Bristol Trader, Team Trader are being temporarily relocated to The Castle Hotel Restaurant from Monday the 18th of November,” announced the team in a social media post. “All our menus are attached to our Facebook page, and the phone lines are being redirected.”

Anyone with a booking at The Bristol Trader who hasn’t been in touch since the fire on 6 November is encouraged to contact the team at 01437 762122.

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