A HOSPITALITY development at Pembrokeshire County Council’s new Western Quayside development in Haverfordwest is to open in less than two months’ time.

Hospitality company Loungers intends to occupy the ground floor of the building with the Waldo Lounge, part of the council’s long-term regeneration plan for the county town.

Waldo Lounge will be open all day, every day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, including full kids’, gluten-free and vegan menus, and will open on Wednesday, November 20.

Loungers, founded in 2002, runs Lounge café bars across the UK – including the Cofio Lounge at the Guildhall, Carmarthen.

Gemma Irwin, Head of Community at Loungers, said: “We’re so looking forward to opening the doors of Waldo Lounge in November.  We hope our family friendly environment and top-notch food and drink offering will prove popular with local residents.

“We’re passionate about integrating genuinely into the communities we serve so we’re looking forward to meeting everyone and to playing our part at the heart of Haverfordwest’s food and drink scene.  Anyone looking for a space to host events or groups should pop in once we’re open, we’d love to hear from them and see what we can do to help.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “It’s great to have confirmation the Waldo Lounge at the council’s Western Quayside Development will open ahead of the busy Christmas period.

“Western Quayside is a key part of this council’s wide-ranging plans for regeneration in Haverfordwest to boost footfall in the town centre for the benefit of all businesses.  How Loungers plans to integrate the Waldo Lounge into the local community is exactly what we want to see for the County Town.

“We want Haverfordwest to always be an attractive place to live, work and visit and we wish Loungers every success in Haverfordwest.”

The three-storey riverside building, on the site of the former Ocky White department store, hit the headlines in 2022 with the unexpected discovery of hundreds of human remains delaying part of its construction.

Construction work commenced in 2021 by John Weaver Contractors Ltd, and the project was originally expected to be completed in early 2023.

Investors are preparing a £150 million lawsuit against Entain, one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming companies, following the company’s recent settlement over corruption allegations. The settlement, which involved Entain agreeing to pay £17 million to UK authorities, has sparked a backlash among shareholders who feel misled about the company’s ethical practices and the potential impact on their investments.

The background of the corruption settlement

The lawsuit stems from a corruption investigation into Entain’s overseas operations, particularly its business activities in Turkey. According to reports from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the company had engaged in practices that violated anti-corruption laws, including failing to ensure compliance in its Turkish operations and facing allegations of bribery and money laundering.

Entain, formerly GVC Holdings, reached a settlement agreement with the UKGC, agreeing to pay £17 million in fines to avoid further legal proceedings. The settlement drew significant attention to the company’s internal governance and compliance procedures, raising serious questions about how these breaches were allowed to occur.

The fallout from the settlement also led to changes in leadership. Jette Nygaard-Andersen, who had guided the company through this tumultuous period, resigned in December 2023. Her resignation followed the resolution of the investigation, marking a major shift for Entain’s leadership. Stella David was appointed interim CEO, taking on the task of managing the company’s response and stabilising its operations​.

Although Entain has since taken steps to overhaul its compliance structure, tighten policies, and improve staff training, the damage to its reputation has already been significant. These efforts, while essential, have come too late for many shareholders, as the scandal has already impacted the company’s market value and projected earnings​.

Challenges of the gambling industry

The gambling industry, particularly for large multinational operators like Entain, frequently encounters ethical and legal challenges, especially in regions with weaker regulatory frameworks. 

In countries like Turkey, where Entain’s bribery scandal emerged, regulatory oversight is less stringent compared to more regulated markets like the UK. This disparity can foster environments conducive to unethical practices such as bribery and money laundering.

Modern features like casino instant withdrawal enhance convenience for players but also present additional compliance risks. Entain’s issues in Turkey—highlighted by a significant bribery scandal—illustrate these risks. 

The company’s failure to adhere to anti-corruption laws has led to a major settlement and a pending lawsuit, eroding investor trust. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining robust governance and compliance measures to mitigate risks associated with less regulated markets. 

It serves as a reminder of the need for strong ethical standards and effective compliance programmes in the gambling sector. Investors must remain vigilant and advocate for rigorous governance practices to protect against the risks inherent in such environments.

Shareholders’ reaction and the planned lawsuit

Shareholders are proceeding with a £150 million lawsuit against Entain, claiming mismanagement and lack of transparency. They argue the company failed to fully disclose its legal risks during the corruption investigation, leaving investors unaware of the significant financial threat. 

Several institutional investors are accusing Entain’s leadership of neglecting to mitigate risks tied to its overseas operations, especially in areas prone to bribery. The investors seek compensation for losses from the company’s stock decline following the settlement, alleging the financial performance and stock value were artificially inflated due to the lack of disclosure.

The online gambling industry & Entain’s future

Gavin Isaacs was recently appointed CEO to help stabilise Entain and rebuild investor confidence. With extensive experience in the gaming industry, Isaacs is expected to focus on strengthening governance, transparency, and driving growth, especially in global markets, following the fallout from the corruption scandal

They also made some positive headlines as their shares recently jumped by 7.6%, driven by strong growth in its UK arm, boosted by the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024. The company also benefitted from new product launches ahead of the NFL season, signalling that its marketing and product development strategies may be yielding positive results

As companies continue to expand into international markets, the risks associated with corruption and weak regulatory oversight increase. For Entain, the consequences of failing to address these risks have been significant, leading to a financial and reputational crisis. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how shareholders in the gambling industry respond to corporate mismanagement and ethical breaches in the future.

THIS autumn, theatre enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience something truly remarkable. The Torch Theatre in Wales will host the English-language premiere of Tachwedd, a thought-provoking drama by Jon Berry, before it heads to the London stage. This unique production, which promises to leave a lasting impression, blends history, mythology, and contemporary struggles to explore deep themes of land, identity, and destiny.

Set in the heart of Bethesda, North Wales, Tachwedd spans centuries, from the 1700s to the present day. The play examines the pressures faced by a modern Welsh family, from a mother’s fight to pay the rent to a town grappling with the aftermath of mass layoffs. At its core, Tachwedd reveals how history, violence, and dispossession have shaped the land and the lives of those who inhabit it.

The play, directed by Jac Ifan Moore and produced by Phoebe Stringer Productions and Theatre 503, flips the typical “state-of-the-nation” play on its head. It weaves religious fervour, royal hunting parties, and national anxiety into a powerful, contemporary piece of theatre. The script delves into the consequences of decisions that reverberate across time, with the land itself becoming a fractured character that reflects the turmoil experienced by its inhabitants.

The stellar Welsh cast, including Bedwyr Bowen, Saran Morgan, Carri Munn, and Glyn Pritchard, will take to the Torch Theatre stage on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th of September. All performances will start at 7pm. With an age guidance of 14+, audiences should be aware that the play includes explicit references to sexual violence and rape, adding to the intensity and realism of the themes explored.

Don’t miss this unforgettable production, which promises to resonate deeply with audiences long after the curtain falls.

Tickets are priced at £12, and given the limited run, theatre-goers are encouraged to book early. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Torch Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267 or by visiting torchtheatre.co.uk.

For further information and press images, please contact Anwen Francis (Marketing, Press & Communications) at [email protected] or call 07854 772640.