Work restoring one of Pembrokeshire’s historic buildings into a heritage dining experience, creating 35 new year-round jobs is nearing completion.
Black Pool Mill at Canaston Bridge, near Narberth, is being restored as part of a significant investment by Bluestone National Park Resort. The former Mill, a Grade II* listed building, will become a heritage dining experience complete with private dining rooms, a banqueting room and bar.
With a planned opening set for Spring 2023, the venue will welcome both the public and Bluestone guests who are staying at the adjacent 500-acre Bluestone National Park Resort.
Sarah Davies, currently Deputy Head of Food and Beverage at the Bluestone Resort, has been appointed as Head of Black Pool Mill. She has a passion and commitment to ensuring the heritage dining experience fits the Mill’s architectural environment and develops menus using local, seasonal produce and ingredients wherever possible.
Careful preservation works have been ongoing, with the main restoration commencing in January 2022by Carl Griffiths Building and Groundworks, focused on bringing much of the original building features back to their former glory.
Liz Weedon, Head of Projects at Bluestone, said the building has undergone a significant transformation.
“Black Pool Mill has a rich history and ever since Bluestone was established in 2008, the Mill has been at the heart of our ongoing investment plans.
“That work has included its preservation, restoration, and transformation. And we’re reaching the final stages of that.
“By early 2023 we will have carefully restored the Mill before opening it as a heritage restaurant destination for local people, visitors, and Bluestone guests whilst creating skilled hospitality and management careers.”
Liz added:
“We will be working with local producers and suppliers to create exciting menus with fresh produce and seasonal ingredients sourced from the local area.”
Dining will be provided on the ground and first floors, a state-of-the-art kitchen on the second floor. The third floor will be a banqueting area, while a bar and private dining rooms will also be created.
Boasting 500 acres of Pembrokeshire countryside within the UK’s only Coastal National Park, working for Bluestone offers many exciting opportunities and the search for an accomplished Head Chef for Black Pool Mill has already begun.
Bluestone is also looking for talented individuals with a passion for people to the join the team. These year-round roles include Chefs, Kitchen Porters, Bar Tenders and Front of House Assistants.
Bluestone help and support individuals to reach their career goals by offering a range of learning and development opportunities to their 700 plus staff, from gaining formal qualifications, to mentoring programmes and apprenticeships through the Bluestone Academy. For further information visit https://careers.bluestonewales.com/
