SHOCK CLAIMS: Stradey Park Hotel boss reveals ‘abuse and threats’ amid closure crisis

Ahsan Ullah, CEO of Ullcom Group, broke his silence in a lengthy statement today (March 5), hitting back at critics and revealing the personal toll of the hotel’s sudden closure.

In a series of explosive claims, Mr Ullah stated that neither he nor his offices had been approached by Llanelli MP Nia Griffith to discuss the ongoing developments at the hotel.

This directly contradicts earlier reports and adds a new dimension to the escalating crisis surrounding the iconic Llanelli establishment.

Mr Ullah also firmly denied that the hotel is currently under administration, stating: “I am doing everything in my power to prevent that from happening.”

Crucially, he reiterated his unwavering commitment that the hotel “will never be handed to the Home Office and nor shall it be allowed to house Migrants or any other similar denominations.”

However, the statement took a dramatic turn as Mr Ullah detailed his personal ordeal, revealing: “On the evening of the 3rd of this month, my vehicle was blocked from leaving the hotel. Eventually I was forced to seek Police assistance.”

He appealed to the “good people of Llanelli and the Rt Hon Nia Griffiths MP to take a moment and reflect on the 18 months of efforts that I have put in to restore SPH to its former glory.”

Mr Ullah also lashed out at “rogue social media outfits such as Voice Of Wales” which he claims “took a dig at my Political background to further incite and anger the local community.”

The far-right group Voice of Wales has been heavily involved in previous asylum seeker protests at the hotel, which saw months of tension in the Furnace area.

He clarified his political stance, explaining his decision to step down as Deputy Leader of the Workers Party GB—a socialist-leaning party led by George Galloway—was due to his “firm advocacy of the Two state solution.”

Furthermore, he claimed a “huge rift” was caused between himself and the Party leadership after he “defended a female party worker from bullying, bigotry and sexual harassment administered by other male members of the Party.”

In a stark warning, Mr Ullah concluded that if those “tirelessly harming my person” continue, it “shall be the primary cause for my reluctant departure from SPH if that happens; which shall no doubt lead to the permanent closure of this Iconic establishment.”

The shock closure of the hotel has already prompted Carmarthenshire County Council to rule out a buyout, while local businesses have rallied around to help affected staff.

#AhsanUllah #hotelClosure #Llanelli #NiaGriffithMP #politics #protest #StradeyParkHotel #VoiceOfWales #WorkersPartyGB

Council rules out BUYING Stradey Park Hotel as staff offered lifeline

The local authority has confirmed it has no plans to procure the building, nor has it received any approaches from the Home Office or other organisations regarding its future use.

This comes as the council moves swiftly to offer a lifeline to hotel staff, who were left reeling by the sudden announcement that the four-star venue had ceased trading.

Officers have made direct contact with employees to provide crucial employability support during what has been described as a “very difficult and worrying time.”

The council’s statement follows a personal video plea from Stradey Park Hotel CEO Ahsan Ullah, who vowed “we are not walking away” and pledged to return the hotel to normal operations.

Crucially, the council has also gained assurance from Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith, following her discussions with the Home Office, that the building is not being considered for any temporary housing plans.

This echoes the earlier “no asylum hotel” pledge secured by the MP, which aimed to reassure the community amid widespread speculation.

Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Linda Evans, expressed her “extreme disappointment” at the owners’ decision to close the hotel “in such sudden fashion.”

Cllr Evans emphasised that the council’s “priority is to the staff of the hotel,” highlighting the immediate support being offered to those directly affected.

Local councillors Martyn Palfreman and Edward Skinner, representing the Hengoed Ward, welcomed the council’s measures to help staff.

They also reiterated their relief at the UK Government’s assurance regarding the hotel not being used to house asylum seekers, encouraging residents with concerns to contact them directly.

The shock closure of the Stradey Park Hotel has prompted a wave of community support from other local businesses, offering jobs and alternative venues for cancelled events.

#AhsanUllah #asylumSeekers #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #CllrEdwardSkinner #CllrLindaEvans #CllrMartynPalfreman #DameNiaGriffithMP #EmployabilitySupport #HomeOffice #hospitality #hospitalityBusiness #hotelClosure #jobs #Llanelli #NiaGriffithMP #StradeyParkHotel #tourism

‘WE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY’ – Stradey Park Hotel boss makes emotional video plea to Llanelli

Ahsan Ullah, CEO of owner Ullcom Group, has personally addressed the public in a direct message, describing the decision to “pause trading” on Monday as incredibly difficult.

Looking directly into the camera, Mr Ullah has expressed his “deepest regrets” for the “disruption and distress” caused to the hotel’s hardworking staff and the wider community.

The CEO has confirmed that the four-star hotel is currently facing “complex operational challenges” that his team is working “night and day” to resolve.

In a firm promise to the town, Mr Ullah has stated: “Our goal is to return the Stradey Park Hotel to normal operations as a premier destination and a positive asset for Llanelli as soon as humanly possible.”

https://twitter.com/ahsanforbritain/status/2029285918125793791?s=20

The video message follows a wave of community support from other local businesses, including the Swansea.com Stadium and Gateway Resort, who have rushed to offer jobs and venue space.

Mr Ullah has also sought to allay fears about the site’s future, insisting that his focus remains entirely on restoring it as a “hospitality venue for the people of Llanelli and beyond.”

This comes after Llanelli MP Nia Griffith secured a “firm assurance” from the Home Office that the hotel would not be used to house asylum seekers, a move she described as a “devastating blow” to the town.

Addressing the hotel’s staff directly, the CEO has called them the “heart of the hotel” and pledged to support them through the current period of uncertainty.

For guests left in the lurch, Mr Ullah has confirmed that a team is working through every single booking to assist with alternative arrangements or process refunds where appropriate.

The sudden closure earlier this week sent shockwaves through the region, coming just weeks after the hotel announced a major partnership with the Scarlets.

As the investigation into the “operational reasons” continues, the CEO has thanked the public for their “patience, understanding, and continued support” during the crisis.

#AhsanUllah #Business #featured #hospitality #jobs #Llanelli #NiaGriffithMP #Scarlets #StradeyParkHotel #UllcomGroup

‘Operational reasons’ blamed for Stradey Park closure as MP secures ‘no asylum hotel’ pledge

Ahsan Ullah, CEO of the hotel’s owner Ullcom Group, has confirmed that the “difficult decision” to cease operations was taken on Monday afternoon and has not been made lightly.

In a statement released via social media, Mr Ullah has said that the company is “working urgently and diligently to resolve the matters underlying this decision” in a bid to return the hotel to normal service.

The move has triggered widespread disruption for staff and guests, with the CEO admitting that he “recognises and regrets” the significant impact on those with upcoming events and bookings.

The company has pledged to support those affected, stating: “We will do everything within our capacity to assist customers with alternative arrangements where possible.”

However, the closure has drawn a sharp response from Nia Griffith MP, who has described the events of the week as a “devastating blow” for the hardworking staff in Llanelli.

Dame Nia has confirmed she has been in direct contact with the Immigration Minister, Alex Morris MP, within the last 24 hours to seek urgent assurances about the hotel’s future.

In a move that will bring relief to many in the Llanelli community, she has revealed that the Home Office has given “immediate, firm assurances” that the site will NOT be used for asylum seekers.

“This Labour Government is closing asylum hotels, not opening them,” Dame Nia has stated, seeking to reassure residents after the site’s controversial history under previous plans.

The MP has now called on the current owners to provide “more clarity on its future intentions” as a matter of urgency to protect the hotel as a community asset.

She has also confirmed that her top priority is ensuring that staff receive all necessary support from Carmarthenshire County Council and the Welsh Government during this difficult time.

Customers with upcoming bookings are being urged by the hotel to contact them directly via email with their booking references to begin the process of seeking alternative arrangements or refunds.

#AhsanUllah #asylumSeekers #Business #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #DameNiaGriffithMP #featured #HomeOffice #jobs #Llanelli #NiaGriffithMP #StradeyParkHotel #UllcomGroup

Llanelli handed £20m lifeline as decade‑long regeneration drive targets town’s most deprived communities

Tyisha, Glanymor and Llanelli town centre will share the cash over the next decade in what ministers say is a bid to “rebuild community pride” and help neighbourhoods that have been left behind.

The area — home to nearly 14,000 people — ranks among the 20% most deprived in Wales, with Tyisha 1 listed as the sixth most deprived neighbourhood in Wales for community safety. Deprivation is also high across income, employment, health and education.

‘People here have been ignored for too long’

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, said: “I am pleased to have been able to secure this additional £20m of long‑term investment for Llanelli which these communities can now use to address issues that they raise with me day‑in, day‑out.

“It will be for the people who live there to decide how this money will be spent, based on what they feel is most important — whether it be improving the places that their families live, work and grow up in, supporting better local facilities and community organisations, helping people access skills and training or making our streets safer, cleaner and more welcoming.”

She said residents had been “overlooked for far too long” and needed a fair deal that reflected their priorities, not someone else’s.

Station Road in Llanelli looking towards the town centre, linking the railway station and Pentre Awel with the main shopping area.

New Neighbourhood Board to take control

A new Neighbourhood Board will now be created to oversee the project. It will include Carmarthenshire Council representatives, Dame Nia Griffith, local residents, community leaders and businesses.

Griffith urged people to get involved. “I can’t stress enough how important it will be for everyone living and working in these areas — as well as the wider Llanelli community who want to help revive our town centre — to make their voices heard over the next few months,” she said.

“I will be insisting residents are involved in the decision‑making process throughout so that it properly reflects their needs and delivers the improvements and the fair deal they rightfully deserve.”

Crime, deprivation and a town centre in decline

The targeted area includes Tyisha, the core of Glanymor and Llanelli town centre — a stretch long associated with anti‑social behaviour, empty units and stalled regeneration schemes.

Officials say the town centre remains the “functional economic area” for the wider community, linking key regeneration sites including the route to Pentre Awel via Llanelli railway station.

The funding is expected to focus on community safety, cleaner streets, better facilities, skills and training, and support for local organisations — but the final priorities will be set by residents.

Part of a wider regional funding battle

The £20m for Llanelli comes from the UK Government’s Pride in Place scheme — a nationwide programme aimed at reviving struggling neighbourhoods and restoring pride in local communities. But across South West Wales, the rollout has already sparked fierce debate over how the money should be carved up and who gets to decide where it goes.

In Neath Port Talbot, councillors have backed a decade‑long regeneration plan for the Upper Afan Valley, while Carmarthenshire’s allocation has triggered political clashes over transparency and control. Swansea MPs have also warned that Pride in Place funding must be shaped by residents, not handed down from above, with calls for open decision‑making and clear priorities.

Against that backdrop, Llanelli’s £20m package becomes the latest test of whether the decade‑long programme can deliver real change — and whether local people will genuinely be put in charge.

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Councillors demand halt to Pontyates GP surgery closure plans as pressure mounts on Hywel Dda

The intervention comes just five days after Swansea Bay News first revealed the surgery’s future was in doubt on 22 January, sparking immediate concern among residents and community leaders.

In a letter sent yesterday to the Chair and Chief Executive of Hywel Dda, Pontyates councillors Alex Evans, Tyssul Evans and Meinir James set out a series of objections to the proposal, which is due to go out to public consultation on 9 February.

They say the health board appears to have a “preferred option” of closure before the consultation has even begun, and warn that the impact on patients has not been properly assessed.

The councillors argue that forcing thousands of patients to register elsewhere would pile pressure onto already overstretched practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and surrounding communities. For many residents — particularly older people, disabled patients, carers and those without cars — reaching alternative surgeries would require taking two buses.

They have asked the health board to confirm whether an Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment have been completed and published, and say no consultation should begin until this work is done.

The letter also calls for a pause to the process and “meaningful engagement” with the community on alternatives to closure. A written response has been requested as a matter of urgency.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said she “very much shares patients’ concerns” and has asked health board bosses to attend a public meeting with residents as part of the consultation.

The fight to save the surgery comes as Pontyates faces another major battle over local services. Earlier this month, villagers secured a temporary stay of closure for Pontyates Primary School, but parents warned the reprieve was only the start of a longer campaign.

Residents say losing both the school and the GP surgery would hollow out the village and leave families without essential services.

With the consultation on Meddygfa’r Sarn due to open in early February, campaigners say the next few weeks will be crucial for the future of healthcare in the Gwendraeth Valley.

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Llanelli schoolkids win MP’s Christmas card contest with futuristic festive flair

Hundreds of pupils from schools across the area submitted entries to Dame Nia Griffith’s annual festive challenge, with winning designs now winging their way to homes and offices across Llanelli and London.

Meet the winners

Isla-Grace Dininno, from Swiss Valley Primary, scooped the top prize in the Key Stage One category with a cheerful robot-themed Christmas tree design.

George Davies, from Ysgol Gymraeg Brynsierfel, took the Key Stage Two crown with a solar-powered sleigh scene set in Llanelli — complete with a charging station and Santa hat-topped town sign.

Dame Nia Griffith presents Isla-Grace Dininno of Swiss Valley Primary with her prize for winning the Key Stage One category.George Davies of Ysgol Gymraeg Brynsierfel receives his prize for winning the Key Stage Two category of the MP’s Christmas Card Competition.Key Stage Two winning entry by George Davies of Ysgol Gymraeg Brynsierfel, featuring a solar-powered sleigh and Llanelli town sign.Judges Katy Lewis, Claire Roberts, Dame Nia Griffith MP and Natalie Powell review hundreds of entries for the MP’s Christmas Card Competition. Key Stage One winning entry by Isla-Grace Dininno of Swiss Valley Primary, featuring a cheerful robot-themed Christmas tree.

Both designs now feature on Dame Nia’s official Christmas cards for 2025, sent to constituents and colleagues including Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who received copies at a special ceremony in London.

Prizes and praise

Winners received framed copies of their artwork, gifts of art materials, and cash prizes for their schools. Runners-up were also recognised, with highly commended entries from pupils at Ysgol Bryn Teg, Ysgol Y Felin, Ysgol Parc Y Tywyn, Pembrey Primary and Swiss Valley.

All winning and shortlisted designs are now on display at Llanelly House until Christmas.

Dame Nia Griffith MP said:

“It was great to see so many local children taking part and wowing us with their beautiful and optimistic designs. Their talent and hard work really put us in the festive mood.”

She also thanked teachers, judges and Llanelly House staff for supporting the competition and showcasing the children’s creativity.

#Christmas #ChristmasCard #ChristmasCardCompetition #Llanelli #NiaGriffithMP #SwissValleyPrimarySchool #YsgolGymraegBrynsierfel

£6.3m accessibility upgrade officially opened at Llanelli Station

The investment, funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme and delivered by Network Rail, Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government, was celebrated at a community event attended by Dame Nia Griffith MP, Llanelli Town Mayor Cllr J.E. Jones, and members of TfW’s Accessibility and Inclusion Panel.

The new facilities mean disabled passengers, parents with pushchairs and travellers with heavy luggage no longer have to trek around the level crossing to reach both platforms. The old footbridge has been removed, with the new structure offering lifts, improved ramps, better lighting, CCTV and tactile paving along the platform edges.

Community members and officials gather at Llanelli Station to celebrate the launch of its new accessibility features.
(Image: Network Rail)The newly opened lift and enclosed bridge at Llanelli Station offer safer, step-free access for all passengers.
(Image: Network Rail)Passengers test the new lift at Llanelli Station, designed to improve access for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs.
(Image: Network Rail)A sleek new footbridge with lift access now connects both platforms at Llanelli Station — part of a £6.3m accessibility upgrade.
(Image: Network Rail)

Kevin Collins, Project Director for Network Rail Wales & Western, said:

“We’re delighted to unveil these fantastic new lifts and the footbridge for passengers in Llanelli — improvements that have made the station more welcoming and significantly more accessible for everyone who uses it.”

Adrian Carrington, Head of Station Infrastructure at Transport for Wales, said:

“Llanelli is an important station to the Wales and Borders network and serves up to 400,000 passengers a year. The new bridge and lift facilities will enhance accessibility and create opportunities for Llanelli and the surrounding communities.”

Dame Nia Griffith MP added:

“It’s so important we now have lifts, which means that people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs and passengers with heavy luggage can access both platforms without trekking around the level crossing. I’m now keen to see Llanelli benefit from further improvements to train services as the Swansea Bay Metro project takes shape.”

Amanda Say, speaking for TfW’s Accessibility and Inclusion Panel, said:

“This project has made the station much safer by eliminating the need to use a level crossing to travel between platforms. It will greatly benefit all passengers, especially people with disabilities.”

The official opening marks a major milestone for Llanelli, but rail bosses say the work doesn’t stop here. Next up is Tenby station, where new accessible facilities are due to be delivered by December 2026.

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Llanelli retail staff report high levels of abuse as campaign calls for stronger protections

Retail staff in Llanelli say they continue to face unacceptable levels of verbal abuse, threats and physical assault while doing their jobs — prompting renewed calls for public respect and tougher enforcement.

The Freedom from Fear campaign, led by trade union Usdaw, was marked at Tesco Trostre with a visit from Dame Nia Griffith MP, alongside Lee Waters MS, Cllr Dot Jones and other local representatives. The event aimed to raise awareness of the abuse faced by shop workers and encourage the public to “keep your cool” in the run-up to Christmas.

Survey shows 71% of retail staff verbally abused

Interim results from Usdaw’s 2025 survey — based on responses from over 3,000 retail workers — show that:

• 71% have experienced verbal abuse in the past year
• 48% were threatened by a customer
• 9% were assaulted

Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the figures show a “slight downturn” compared to previous years, but warned that the scale of abuse remains “shocking”.

“Nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers,” she said. “Far too many are experiencing threats and violence. Our members are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

Local voices call for change

Dame Nia Griffith MP said retail workers “deserve to be treated with respect” and backed Usdaw’s call for stronger legal protections.

“We’re introducing a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker,” she said. “That gives shop staff the protection they need and sends a clear message that abuse will not be tolerated.”

She also pointed to Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill, which removes the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifting and introduces new powers to ban repeat offenders.

Campaigners urge public to ‘respect shop workers’

Usdaw activists say incidents tend to rise in December as shops get busier and customer frustration grows. The union is encouraging staff to report abuse and reject the idea that it’s “part of the job”.

The Freedom from Fear campaign continues throughout the year, with workplace and community events planned across South Wales.

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Llanelli ‘well placed’ to benefit from clean energy jobs boom, says MP

Dame Nia Griffith has welcomed Labour’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which sets out how investment in projects such as offshore wind and carbon capture could create around 15,000 roles across Wales in the next five years.

She said Llanelli’s established manufacturing base, its links to further and higher education, and its location between South and West Wales meant the town was “ideally placed” to take advantage of the opportunities.

“The work begins now to secure the benefits of this investment for Llanelli and the surrounding areas and to take advantage of the clean energy revolution for current and future generations in our local communities,” she said.

The plan highlights demand for skilled trades including plumbing, welding and electrification, with a pledge that jobs supported by public funding will come with fair pay and workplace rights.

Nearby developments such as Port Talbot’s Green Energy Hub and offshore wind projects along the south Wales coast are expected to play a major role in driving growth.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the wider programme was about ensuring young people could find decent jobs without leaving their hometowns.

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