The Ashburnham Hotel, affectionately known as The Ash, has been welcoming guests for nearly 200 years. Now, under the ownership of Caroline and Chris Jones, the venue is poised to become a revitalised hub for tourism, weddings and community events.
The couple secured a commercial mortgage earlier this year to purchase the property and have already begun upgrading the hotel’s facilities. Their plans include restoring the restaurant and event spaces, with ambitions to create up to 10 new jobs within the first year.
Caroline Jones, Co-owner and Director, 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.”
Located in the village of Pembrey, close to the boundary with Burry Port, The Ash is well positioned to support Carmarthenshire’s growing tourism economy. The hotel has long served as a community gathering point, and the new owners are committed to preserving that role while enhancing its offer.
Caroline and Chris bring over 25 years of business experience from running a successful mechanical garage nearby. They are keeping the hotel open throughout the refurbishment, using their hands-on skills to repaint, redecorate and repair the building themselves.
Huw Simpkins, Regional Relationship Manager at NatWest, said: “Supporting local businesses like The Ashburnham Hotel to grow is central to what we do. Caroline and Chris’ complete dedication to their community and their vision for securing the future of The Ash is an example to business owners across the country.”
The expansion will allow the hotel to host more weddings, family celebrations and community events, with several local clubs already using the venue as a regular meeting space.
