A BAN is still in place for Mark Drakeford, despite him bowing out as Wales' first minister. 

Mr Drakeford, who told the Journal and Pioneer in late February that he will continue to visit the area North Wales, will still not be welcome in Conwy pubs. 

In December 2020, Mr Drakeford was barred from every pub on Conwy’s pub watch scheme after some landlords deemed some of his Covid restrictions as too extreme.

The ban does not extend to Wales' new first minister Vaughan Gething. 

Phil Ashe, vice-chair of West Conwy Pub Watch, said: "The ban on Mark Drakeford does not extend to Vaughan Gething. We imposed the ban on Mark Drakeford due to the harm he caused to the industry. We hope Mr Gething will be more supportive of the hospitality sector and willing to collaborate, especially given the challenges ahead.

"These challenges include the significant increase in the business rates which will rise by 151 per cent from April 1. For instance, if a business currently pays £1,000 a month, it will increase to £2,500 a month in April. 

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"This rise is unsustainable for the industry and will impact numerous pubs, hotels and restaurants across Wales."

Phil added: "The surge in business rates marks the most substantial real-term increase in the history of non-domestic rates (NDR) while the rest of the UK continues to benefit from a 75 per cent discount due to Covid provided by the UK government. 

"If Vaughan Gething is a man of his word and wants to help businesses in Wales prosper, I'm offering an invitation to Vaughan Gething to engage in a debate regarding the upcoming challenges confronting the hospitality sector in North Wales.

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"Alongside myself, other prominent organisations will participate, enabling us to articulate the industry's challenges and outline the assistance and support required over the next 12 months here in North Wales."

Before stepping down, Mr Drakeford said that he hopes residents in North Wales will feel they have been "at the heart of a journey".

He said: "I'm deeply attached to North Wales. One of my sons lives here with his family and I am here very regularly.

"I hope people will feel that North Wales has been right at the heart of a journey we have been on as a nation through some very very difficult years."