Port of Milford Haven acquires St Brides Spa Hotel

The Port of Milford Haven has announced that it has completed the purchase of St Brides Spa Hotel, in Saundersfoot for an undisclosed sum. The investment includes a management agreement with The Celtic Collection to manage and operate the hotel on the Port’s behalf. Together with Ty Hotel Milford Waterfront, it said this adds another “quality offering” to the Port’s hospitality and tourism portfolio and strengthens the range of profitable investments linked to its diversification strategy. For over 10 years, the Port has been actively pursuing a “strategic objective” to reduce its dependency on the oil and gas sector and seek out additional revenue streams that provide long term, stable, financial resilience for the business. The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites. According to the Port of Milford Haven, the transition to the new ownership and management will be “seamless” with no “detrimental impact” on guests and the jobs of all current St Brides team members safeguarded. The Port of Milford Haven worked with Hugh James for legal support during the purchase. Tom Sawyer, chief executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “We are proud to, once again, be partnering with The Celtic Collection to deliver another high-quality hospitality and tourism offer in Pembrokeshire. This latest investment in St Brides Spa Hotel allows us, through our partnership, to promote the fantastic coastal community of Saundersfoot and support Visit Pembrokeshire's ambition for the county to become a top 5 UK destination choice. “The continuing success and growth of St Brides Spa Hotel brings economic, social and cultural benefits to the whole of Pembrokeshire whilst at the same time strengthening the Port’s financial resilience. This is exactly what our Trust Port status is about: investing profits for the benefit of future generations. This investment in no way undermines our ability to invest in our core purpose to operate the UK’s largest energy port safely, effectively and responsibly, which will always remain our primary focus.” Ian Edwards, The Celtic Collection chief executive, added: “We are excited to be taking on the management of St Brides Spa Hotel and expanding our partnership with the Port of Milford Haven to deliver more exceptional hospitality in Pembrokeshire. St Brides is a very successful business that has established itself as a spa destination of real prestige in a wonderful location. We look forward to working with the hotel’s talented and experienced team of staff and welcoming them into the Celtic Collection family as we seek to build on this strong platform and grow the business further. “We know all about the beauty and the draw of Pembrokeshire to visitors from all over the world from our experience of the last two years operating and growing the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront. This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves further in the Pembrokeshire community, working closely with local suppliers and businesses, and delivering positive impacts for the local economy.”