Milford Haven marina to undergo £5m facelift
A new company has announced plans to develop the marina at Wales' largest port as a premier leisure destination.
Pembrokeshire Marine Group said it aims to add 250 berths to the 350 at Milford Haven marina.
It will invest £5m installing lock gates and renewing pontoons as part of a five-year facelift.
Milford Haven is better known as one of the UK's most important energy hubs, with two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and two oil refineries
Pembrokeshire Marine Group general manager Nathan Hewitt said: "Milford Haven is an amazing place to sail and we want to promote that".
Pembrokeshire Marine Group is responsible for managing the marina which is owned by Milford Haven Port Authority.
Mr Hewitt said depending on their success, they planned to almost double the number of berths there.
"The haven has not really been promoted as well as it could have been," he said.
"It is an amazing place to sail with beautiful nature and scenery.
"We plan to attract sailors from south Wales, Ireland and the south coast of England."
"It needs to have more facilities on site so if someone takes time to make the journey from the south coast the marina meets their needs.
"We need professional servicing yards, places to buy equipment, specialist marine retailers and more of the things you associate with a tourist destination such as shops and restaurants."
Before the recession the marina experienced 14% growth.
"We see a lot of growth in the future and we want to bring a lot more people here over the following years," Mr Hewitt added.
Cardiff Marine Group, Milford Haven Port Authority and marina development company Maritime Horizons are partners in the venture.
Milford Haven Port Authority chief executive Alec Don said: "We strongly believe that the marine leisure sector is capable of playing a much larger role in the Pembrokeshire economy.
"We are confident that as the market develops, as well as directly benefitting businesses in the immediate vicinity, Pembrokeshire Marine Group will attract other third party investors to the town centre of Milford Haven."