Get to know PBE Fuels
In the first of our series focusing on Bluestone's partners and the experience they've had during the COVID-19 pandemic, we've spoken to the wonderful people at PBE Fuels. Locally owned and run, PBE Fuels is located less than a mile from the Bluestone gates, and is our biomass supplier, supplying heat to Blue Lagoon and woodchip fuel to a number of our lodges.
Like most businesses, they've been severely affected by the events of the last year. We caught up with Director Paul Ratcliffe and his wife Emma to learn more:
Q: How has the last year been for you and your team?
The last year has been tough for us as suppliers of heat and fuel to hospitality and tourism businesses as well as individual households affected by the pandemic throughout Wales and the UK. It has been difficult to manage the changing situation as well as different regulations in the devolved nations although our staff has continued to work as we are classed as essential workers.
Q: What does Bluestone reopening mean to your business?
We are excited about Bluestone reopening as one of our main users of woodchip. All of our timber is sourced locally and it is an important revenue stream for local farmers and foresters.
We are pleased to have been involved with Bluestone since the early planning stages of the first development and proud to continue our excellent working relationship to where we are today.
Q: How many members of staff do you have on your team, and how many are involved working with Bluestone?
PBESCO supplies heat to Blue Lagoon and woodchip fuel to Phase 3 Lodges. We have a small team of biomass engineers who have continued to monitor the performance of the biomass boilers and undertake essential maintenance.
Q: Anything else at all that you would like to mention?
We’d like to say a massive thanks to our employed staff and the self-employed contractors we work with – we look forward to getting back to normality!