Milford Haven will host the Welsh Grand Prix for the adrenalin fuelled Powerboat P1 National Championships. Centred around the new Milford Waterfront development, this will be the only venue in Wales to welcome the powerboat racers in 2017.
Held between the 14th and 16th July 2017, it’s expected to be an action packed weekend that will complement Pembrokeshire’s established reputation as a host of world-class events, which includes Ironman and Red Bull Cliff Diving. The racers will use Milford Waterfront as their base providing spectators with superb opportunities for watching the race and enjoying the exciting build up activities, events and hospitality. The marina, town and surrounding areas have a range of places to stay as well as restaurants and cafes so the huge crowd the event is expected to draw will be well catered for.
The race is set to feature Pembrokeshire’s own Powerboating team, Daisy and Sam Coleman, who are sponsored by Milford Waterfront in 2017. The team, Coleman Racing, claimed the P1 Superstock National Championship title in Bournemouth last year and were the first team in the series’ history to podium at every event. They will be using Milford Waterfront as their base for training and testing throughout the winter, as well as hosting experience days in the coming year with a variety of boats and jet skis on show. Having a race event on their training ground gives the pair a great advantage.
Neil Jenkins, Destination Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said “Attracting world-class events is a key part of Milford Waterfront’s strategy and we’ve worked closely with Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council to bring the P1 National Championships to Pembrokeshire. This will be an outstanding event which will help in drawing international attention to Pembrokeshire and Wales. We are looking forward to working with local businesses and community groups in the run up to the event to maximise the economic benefit and to ensure racers and spectators leave wanting to come back.”
Milford Waterfront is a Port of Milford Haven development that received a resolution to grant planning consent from Pembrokeshire County Council in 2015 for the future development on the marina. This will create new, exciting attractions and revitalise the existing waterfront destination by adding a mix of local, regional and national brands within the leisure, retail, residential, office and dining sectors. It is envisaged that as well as creating around 600 long term jobs it will provide a boost to the local economy through increased local spending and an uplift in visitor numbers.
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Photo caption: Sam and Daisy Coleman at Milford Waterfront
Notes to Editors
Milford Waterfront
Milford Waterfront is a multi-million pound regeneration project being led by the Port of Milford Haven. It aims to revitalise the marina and docks into a vibrant destination, adding to the existing mix of leisure, retail and dining businesses and boosting the economy by providing long term, sustainable jobs.
A number of flagship projects have already been completed at the site including the installation of new lock gates that have significantly reduced locking times and the construction of new fishing buildings for the industry.
The new development will also celebrate the arts, culture and heritage of the area, working in partnership with key stakeholders. The Port already hosts a busy calendar of events at the marina such as Milford Fish Festival, Torch Theatre Sunset Cinema screenings and awards ceremonies which add to the diverse range of attractions on the waterfront.
In February 2015, a resolution to grant consent was gained from Pembrokeshire County Council for the development and work is ongoing to finalise detailed plans that will soon be submitted to the local authority.
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk