Mastodawn

Editor Sep 10, 2025

Poor broadband and mobile signal ‘costing rural Welsh tourism millions’

A UK‑wide study by VodafoneThree estimates that tourism‑related small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales are losing up to £69 million annually in potential revenue due to patchy connectivity.

The research looked at 50 UK staycation hotspots — including Tenby, Porthcawl and New Quay — and found that better broadband and mobile signal could boost takings for Welsh tourism traders by thousands of pounds each year.

While the study focused on named destinations, the findings are likely to apply to other rural and coastal areas in South West Wales, such as Gower, Laugharne, Saundersfoot and the Pembrokeshire Coast, where visitors often report poor signal and slow internet speeds.

Impact on local businesses

According to the research, 17% of Welsh tourism SMEs said poor connectivity stopped them taking full advantage of this year’s extra footfall, while 7% said they actually lost business because of it.

With more than two‑thirds of tourism businesses relying on social media to attract customers, poor signal can limit marketing reach, slow down online bookings and payments, and frustrate visitors expecting reliable Wi‑Fi.

The report suggests that with improved connectivity, many businesses would:

Increase social media marketing
Offer better customer Wi‑Fi
Introduce online booking or virtual queuing systems
Use AI‑powered customer support tools

Potential gains

The study estimates that:

Tenby’s 210 tourism SMEs could each gain around £34,000 a year with better connectivity
Porthcawl’s 235 SMEs could see an extra £42,000 each
New Quay’s 110 traders could gain nearly £40,000 each

Applied to similar‑sized destinations in South West Wales, the figures suggest a significant untapped economic boost for the region’s tourism sector.

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at VodafoneThree, said:

“Tourism plays a critical role in boosting local economies across the UK, with improved connectivity accelerating their growth to the tune of £1.5 billion a year. That’s why we’re investing £11 billion in building a network that provides reliable, quality connectivity to all corners of the UK — particularly in rural and coastal areas where demand surges during the summer months.”

#Gower #Laugharne #mobileSignal #NewQuay #phoneSignal #Porthcawl #Saundersfoot #Technology #Tenby #tourism #Vodafone #VodafoneThree

Editor Jul 24, 2025

Politicians welcome progress on 72-home development in Saundersfoot

Work is progressing rapidly on a major housing development in Saundersfoot, where local politicians have welcomed the early signs of transformation at Persimmon Homes’ new 72-home scheme, Ger-y-Môr.

Set on land off Sandy Hill, the site received planning approval last year from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and promises a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes — including 35% earmarked for affordable rent and shared ownership. Persimmon hopes the development will not only ease pressure on the local housing list, but also support long-term regeneration by attracting families and boosting employment opportunities.

The design incorporates green technologies and ecological features such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, and rain gardens. There’s also a sustainable drainage system and wildlife-friendly landscaping to protect dormouse habitats and preserve existing trees and hedgerows. A play area is planned for the centre of the site, and the layout includes an active travel link back to Sandy Hill Road, with improvements to surrounding highways and footpaths also on the cards.

During a site visit this week, Mid & South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell and Cllr Chris Williams, who represents Saundersfoot South, were given a tour by Persimmon’s regional team and shown the early construction progress. The showhome, which they previewed, is set to open to the public later this summer.

“It’s a pleasure to visit a housing development like Ger-y-Môr, not only because of how it will provide new homes for local people, but also because housebuilding is so important to generating economic growth and providing good jobs,” said Mr Tufnell, praising the developer’s engagement with local priorities.

Cllr Williams echoed the sentiment, describing the project as a strong example of “collaboration between planners, developers and the community.” He added: “We need more affordable homes in Saundersfoot, and I’m pleased Persimmon has been able to deliver them here through a collaborative approach. I look forward to seeing the site completed and the positive impact it will have on our community.”

Persimmon Homes West Wales Managing Director Stuart Phillips said he was proud of the progress made since breaking ground earlier this year and welcomed the chance to host two “important community representatives.”

“We are committed to leaving a positive and lasting legacy in Saundersfoot and will keep Henry and Chris updated as we mark future milestones on site,” he said.

#CllrChrisWilliams #construction #HenryTufnellMP #newHomes #PembrokeshireCoastNationalParkAuthority #PembrokeshireCouncil #PersimmonHomes #Saundersfoot

Editor Jul 7, 2025

Three Cliffs, Whitesands and Saundersfoot shine in UK’s Best Beaches list

Compiled by travel writer Chris Haslam, the guide celebrates the most scenic, welcoming and well-kept beaches across the country. All three Welsh locations earned praise for their natural beauty, visitor experience, and enduring popularity — with Three Cliffs Bay once again standing out as one of the most photographed and celebrated beaches in Britain.

Three Cliffs Bay: A Gower Icon

Three Cliffs Bay

Often topping national and international beach rankings, Three Cliffs Bay is a picturesque beach on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula, known for its three distinctive limestone cliffs. It’s a favourite for beach walks, picnics, and photography, offering sweeping views of sand dunes, salt marsh, and the cliffs themselves. The beach is accessible by foot via a scenic path from Parkmill, where parking is available.

The Times described it as “breathtaking” and “unforgettable,” while Swansea Bay News has previously highlighted its inclusion in The Telegraph’s list of the world’s best beaches and its near-perfect rating on Tripadvisor.

Whitesands: Surf, Spirit and Scenery

Whitesands Bay
(Image: Visit Wales)

Near St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Whitesands Beach was praised for its golden sands, surf-friendly waters, and spiritual atmosphere — with historical links to Saint Patrick’s departure to Ireland. It’s a hotspot for surfers, families and walkers, with seasonal lifeguards, a beach café, and access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

The Times called it a “timeless, spiritual location” and one of the region’s most treasured coastal gems.

Saundersfoot: Seaside Charm and Culinary Delights

Saundersfoot Beach
(Image: Visit Pembrokeshire)

Saundersfoot, a bustling harbour village in South Pembrokeshire, earned its place on the list thanks to its family-friendly beach, easy-going atmosphere, and thriving food scene. With boat trips, dolphin-spotting excursions, and fresh seafood served along the seafront, it’s a firm favourite with visitors year-round.

The Times highlighted its accessibility and ongoing regeneration projects, noting that Saundersfoot continues to evolve while retaining its coastal charm.

With a heatwave forecast for the week ahead, conditions are ideal for exploring these award-winning beaches — whether you’re planning a swim, a coastal walk, or simply a day of sea air and sunshine.

#beach #Gower #Pembrokeshire #Saundersfoot #ThreeCliffsBay #WhitesandsBeach

Editor Sep 9, 2024

Tenderfoot Welsh Disabled Sports Club, sees Saundersfoot Rotary Club train and develop disabled athletes every year in a variety of sports, culminating in teams competing in the Welsh Disability Team Games.

The housebuilder’s donation will go towards supporting the Rotary’s annual fundraising in support of the club, their sporting activities, and equipment.

The Community Champions scheme by Persimmon Homes West Wales donates £24,000 each year to community organisations and good causes in the areas it develops.

In July, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park supported Persimmon’s proposed development of a new sustainable community of 72 high-quality homes in Saundersfoot.

The zero-carbon ready scheme includes a mix of quality new detached, semi-detached, terraced houses, and apartments, ranging from one to four bedrooms, which will help meet local housing needs and open the door to home ownership for more local families.

Ray Wise, from Saundersfoot Rotary Club, thanked Persimmon for the donation and commented: “Thank you to Persimmon for their kind donation. This money will help us at Saundersfoot Rotary Club to enhance Tenderfoot’s activities and enable more people with disabilities to get involved in sports.

“Persimmon’s donation will help us foster a strong sense of community and empowerment, making a difference to the lives of people with disabilities across West Wales.”

Sharon Bouhali, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, commented: “Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting the areas we operate in, and the community champions who go above and beyond to support others in their local community.

“The work that the Saundersfoot Rotary Club do to improve the lives of people living with disabilities is heartwarming, so we are delighted to support their ongoing work.”

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/09/local-housebuilder-donates-2000-to-saundersfoot-rotary-and-tenderfoot-welsh-disabled-sports-clubs/

#Charity #PersimmonHomes #Rotary #Saundersfoot

Local Housebuilder donates £2,000 to Saundersfoot Rotary and Tenderfoot Welsh Disabled Sports Clubs

The Saundersfoot Rotary Club has been awarded a £2,000 cheque as one of the latest recipients of Persimmon Homes West Wales' Community Champions initiative.

Swansea Bay News