A popular hotel in Burry Port which has been welcoming guests and hosting community events for nearly 200 years will be upgraded and expanded thanks to funding from NatWest Cymru.
The Ashburnham Hotel, affectionately known locally as “The Ash” is set for an exciting new chapter under the stewardship of local entrepreneurs Caroline and Chris Jones.
Additional staff have already been recruited to meet growing demand with the potential for further job creation, totalling 10 new roles within the first year of opening.
Having secured a commercial mortgage from NatWest, the couple purchased the premises earlier this year and are aiming to restore and revitalise the historic hotel, boosting the services on offer at the venue.
Nestled just outside the historical village of Burry Port and popular tourist destination of Pembrey, The Ash is well positioned to support Carmarthenshire’s growing tourism economy.
The Ash is also a popular community hub for locals and the new owners are committed to protecting its valued impact on the area, planning to refurbish the hotel, restaurant and wedding venue to its full potential.
Caroline and Chris have expanded their local business portfolio, building on their strong reputation from running a successful mechanical garage nearby for over 25 years.
The couple are keeping the business open while they undertake the work, using their technical hands-on skills to repair, repaint, redecorate and breathe new air into the life of The Ash.
Caroline, Co-owner and Director of The Ashburnham Hotel, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to run The Ash, a place with such rich history and significance to the community. Our goal is to make it a vibrant hub for tourists and locals alike, and the perfect venue to stay, host events, and dine. In just a few months we have already seen tremendous business growth and may need to expand the team further. The support from NatWest has been invaluable in helping us achieve this vision, and we cannot wait to continue to grow the business.”
Huw Simpkins, Regional Relationship Manager at NatWest said: “Supporting local businesses like The Ashburnham Hotel to grow is central to what we do at NatWest Caroline and Chris’ complete dedication to their community and their vision for securing the future of The Ash and expanding further is an example to business owners across the country. We are delighted to provide the funding needed to help them realise their goals and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on the local area and beyond.”
Expanding the facilities will allow more weddings, large gatherings and events to take place, with various local clubs already using The Ash as a hub for the community in the area.
