A CAMPAIGN has been launched by Llanelli Labour to save the popular Sandpiper restaurant from
shock closure.
Staff and customers have been rocked by the news of closure from Premier Inn owner Whitbread as part of a huge savings drive.
The hospitality giant revealed the Sandpiper restaurant is among nearly 200 set to close as part of a sweeping business overhaulaimed at saving £250 million.
The Sandpiper, which sits in scenic surrounding at Sandy Water Park, is a major draw for families in the area and tourists alike.
County Councillors for the Hengoed ward, which covers Sandy Water Park, Martyn Palfreman and Edward Skinner expressed dismay at the announcement and called on Whitbread to think again.
Cllr Palfreman, who is third on Welsh Labour’s list for election to the Senedd in the Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency, said: ‘This news is a bombshell for all concerned, including staff and the vast numbers of customers that visit the Sandpiper throughout the year, both those living locally and people visiting Llanelli.
“To take away such a cherished amenity would be a huge loss to the town and surrounding area.
“We will be doing all we can, working with all interested parties, to get this plan reversed and secure the venue’s future’.
Councillor Skinner added ‘Llanelli can ill-afford another blow to its hospitality sector and this announcement will come as a huge disappointment to all those whovalue everything the Sandpiper has to offer. We call upon Whitbread to think again’.
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said: “This is devastating news for staff and customers.
“This is such a special location with the lake and the Millennium Coastal Park, and is much enjoyed by locals and visitors, very young and not so young alike.
“I will be doing everything I can to keep a pub open here.”
Another publicity stunt by these 2.
What can they do
Paul Brookfield Selling to you would be great 🤩😂
Daniel Craddock-Soko nooooooooooooooooooo. He’d paint it that hideous red and cream.
They can’t do anything, it’s their National Gmnt that’s caused this.
They won’t fool us with their token photoshoot.
Paul Brookfield absolutely nothing! It’s an opportunity to look good before the election. These are the same people who camp outside Prince Phillip campaigning against their own parties policies 🤦🏼♂️
Nia suddenly wa is to get involved with Llanelli two days before the elections. What a surprise!! Shame she didn’t want to get involved when they shut down stradey park hotel when they wanted to fill it with rapists
Mike Evans that is disgusting.
Maria Val Loureda what is ?
If that happens the world might as well come to end. With everything else closing
Lynsey Thomas there are worse things that can happen in life.
Jonathan Williams I can assure you. The pub is a local and is a place for everyone to enjoy. If they all go, the country would be in a worse state. Please remember, the Hospitality employ a lot of people and they all pay their taxes. To which the UK and Welsh Government need!
Chris Rees-Andrews there are worse things that can happen to you in life than pubs closing.
Lynsey Thomas A bit dramatic!
Lynsey Thomas totally agree!
They need to look at planning laws for the site to prevent any change of use to hotel accommodation instead of the current model. I believe a Pub/Restaurant comes under a specific group now and could be classified as an essential community asset due to location on the Water Park.
Premier Inn has already closed one local business of this type to expand the number of rooms.
They are making easier & larger profits on hotel rooms housing non standard hotel guests.
Andrew Rees non standard hotel guests?
Jonathan Williams used for homeless short term cover, the price paid is the same as a normal guest, but It’s paid by the taxpayer.
Andrew Rees a lot of hotels do that. Sometimes travelodge and premier inn are more expensive.
Jonathan Williams a lot of hotels haven’t already started closing the Restaurant building to build extra rooms though. The Beefeater has already be closed for just that purpose.
Andrew Rees ????
Alan James Jonathan Williams used for homeless short term cover, the price paid is the same as a normal guest, but It’s paid by the taxpayer.
Yeah a huge company that wants to save 250mil across the UK will listen to these two!
We love it there and some of the staff are great. The foods a mixed bag and I think they need to make it half a bar and half a restaurant especially in the winter months. Just hope this and the stradey hotel don’t just stay as empty buildings!
This is capitalism for you. The owners aren’t losing money, they just want to make more for their shareholders.
The Sandpiper could be making money but not enough for them.
So, they’ll close the pubs and focus on the hotel.
Don’t worry though, anyone can buy shares and benefit from their profits.
Jonathan Williams totally wrong, the increase Labour tax has cost them £50 million so far this year.
Phillip Davies so less profit. Who else should pay taxes for services?
Jonathan Williams rubbish!
Eddie Clements no it isn’t. It’s exactly what is happening.
They aren’t a community business and the profits aren’t kept local either. They want to make as much money as possible for their shareholders and they were down 19%.
Looking for easier ways to make more money. It’s a fine example of capitalism.
Jonathan Williams how would we exist without capitalism….you certainly would not have an NHS…there would be millions unemployed!
Eddie Clements the NHS isn’t capitalism, it’s socialism.
Social enterprises keep money within the community as there aren’t any shareholders and any profits are reinvested back into the services the organisation provides.
We need more of these types of business.
Jonathan Williams have some common sense…the NHS….the country could not be run without capitalism.China is supposed to be a communist country but have more billionaires than most capitalist countries……socialism has never ever worked anywhere…
Eddie Clements what countries have had a socialist system?
Jonathan Williams Sweden, Denmark, Norway are three at the top of my head
Lynsey Stone but it’s failed and everyone is unemployed and living in slums.
Shut it down food there was rubbish
Ken Ward yep let’s make people redundant because you didn’t like your meal
Yes please all brewers fare are shit
NOOOOOO!
this is all down to labour they haven listened to the ind
Labour taxed them and others out of business.
Blame Labour
Phillip Davies this is a company-wide strategic decision to pull out of the restaurant business
All a storm in a teacup as someones bound to take over and it will be popular again
Paul Madsen hope you’re right
Cherril Williams , Elizabeth Williams 😥
We were there yesterday it was very busy it’s such a shame its in a lovely spot
Such a popular favourite with loads of people! How dull are Whitbread?
Why are they having the photo shoot in Iscoed regarding Sandpiper
Nia Griffith doing anything for a vote!
Chris Edmunds which one in the photo is Nia?
Maria Val Loureda did you read the article or just look at the pictures?
Maria Val Loureda She isn’t in the photo, but is quoted in the article
I heard about this last year. Why is it suddenly news?
Unfortunately, just as The Sandpiper appears to be doing well, Whitbread have made the decision countrywide. National insurance seems to be the nail in the coffin for this business along with many others. I’m sure that due to the prime location, it will attract a lot of interest (hopefully the right kind of interest).
We go most weeks
Why is it closing
Karen Walters too many taxes and VAT. Needs to be adjusted for Hospitality Businesses to survive!
Nia Griffiths is so sad about this closing,and wants to do what she can to keep it open…..easy she should tell the idiot Prime Minister and pathetic Chancellor to greatly reduce the National Insurance increase that they have put on businesses….they are destroying the Hospitality businesses and many others.
Labour are trying to keep it open 😂 it’s prob Labour budget that’s making it close
Please remember! This company are trying to keep the majority of staff employed. It may not look this way currently, but as a small business owner myself, I understand the pressure! What the company has said is true. The current Welsh and UK Government have made it so difficult today, for Hospitality Businesses to survive. They both need to understand that these/ current taxes that are imposed upon us, are just not economical and sustainable. They need to understand that our local pub and restaurants are an asset to communities and need to be safe and looked after.
What you have said, makes sense, will be such a loss!
Vote reform