The man behind Bluestone Resort is smiling like a Cheshire cat as he stands in the latest addition to the holiday park in Pembrokeshire. Black Pool Mill has cost him £3m, two years of building and a lengthy planning battle but finally the restaurant is ready to open not just to paying guests but the general public too.
The impressive building, first built in 1813, spans four floors and its original iron cogs, wheels and milling equipment are a striking backdrop to the plush restaurant that doesn't hide its industrial past. William McNamara, Bluestone's founder and boss, was on his hands and knees singlehandedly oiling the old mill machinery a couple of weekends ago, he said. He's been there seven days a week getting it ready for opening. The 66-year-old is rightly pleased with how the old disused, grade two listed building has been restored to its original architectural glory. On Friday it opened as a new restaurant offering a "unique heritage dining experience".
In fact, the man who turned a working farm into the much-loved Oakwood theme park in his late twenties before moving onto Bluestone 15 years ago, shows no sign of slowing down or resting on his laurels. He's just spent £30m in a massive investment in Bluestone, including 80 brand new luxury Platinum lodges.
