This week has seen the end of an era for a South Pembrokeshire hotel. Saundersfoot's Cambrian Hotel closed its doors on Sunday after changing hands in a deal sealed over the weekend. Notices have since been displayed at the Cambrian Terrace premises stating 'closed until further notice'. As well as providing hotel facilities, 'Tha Cam', which has been run by Mr. Mike Fry and his family since 1982, has been at the hub of the community for many years. On Monday, after informing the staff of the sale, an emotional Mr. Fry spoke to the Observer to thank them and all his customers over the years for their loyal support. "The hotel has been at the centre of village life and we will miss our customers, many of them who have become our friends," he said. Mr. Fry also apologised to the many local groups and charitable organisations who used the hotel for their meetings. Whether they will now have to seek a new venue is still uncertain, however, for although the sale included all fixtures and fittings, the future of the hotel remains a mystery. Estate agent, Charles Hopkinson, of Graham H. Evans, who acted in the sale was unable to comment on the matter. The new owners were also staying tight-lipped. However, it is believed that the hotel has been purchased by a consortium from outside the area. It has also been mooted that the hotel will re-open for business at the end of next week, before closing at the end of the summer to be converted into flats - permission for such a development having been granted late last year. Said the village's county councillor, Mrs. Rosemary Hayes: "The Cambrian was the heart of Saundersfoot and everyone is taken aback as to how suddenly the hotel has closed." Meanwhile, what are Mr. Fry's plans for the future? "I've been in business since 1959, and this will be the beginning of the rest of my life," he remarked.
