THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SHOP in Haverfordwest has announced it will close its doors on December 14, 2024. This news has left many saddened, with heartfelt tributes pouring in to celebrate the store’s role in the community and the people who made it special.

In a recent social media post, the management of The Original Factory Shop shared their gratitude for the community’s support, stating: “We take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Haverfordwest.” The announcement marks the end of an era for a store that has been part of the town’s retail landscape for many years.

Among those reflecting on the closure is Nigel Shinner, a former employee whose journey with The Original Factory Shop began in Haverfordwest. Nigel shared his experience on social media, reminiscing about his time with the store and how it became a meaningful part of his life and career:

“I know there are sadder things happening in the world today, but this makes me sad. This was my point of entry into The Original Factory Shop family. I joined as just a weekender, while I was raising my kids, but it wasn’t long before I became a supervisor and farmed out to help at other stores. I really stepped up a notch when my life took a turn, and I became Head Office staff and part of the new store merchandising team, often working ten-hour days, unloading wagons, building equipment, dressing stores, and training staff. That job took me far and wide, from Land’s End to John O’Groats, from east coast to west, and to many locations across the home nations.”

Local customers also expressed their sadness at the upcoming closure, with comments pouring in on social media. Long-time shopper Julie Parry wrote, “I will be so sad to see this lovely little shop going. Always such friendly, helpful staff. Good luck, ladies, in whatever work you do next.” Another customer, Lyndsey Gould, shared fond memories of shopping at the store, saying, “Awww, such a shame you’re closing. Will miss getting my balloons from you guys.”

The closure of The Original Factory Shop marks another loss for Haverfordwest’s local shopping scene, which has seen several changes in recent years. The community now prepares to say goodbye to a much-loved establishment, with the store welcoming customers for a final visit until December 14.

For those wishing to express their farewells, the store remains open for one last month, inviting the community to visit, reminisce, and say goodbye to the team that has been a part of their shopping experience for years.

What a night!

Last week Pembrokeshire recognised and celebrated its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire  Croeso Awards, hosted by Jamie Owen and held at Pembrokeshire College. These are businesses and organisations who deliver memorable experiences for visitors to Pembrokeshire throughout the year. Many congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted:

Accessible & Inclusive Award | Winner: Windswept Paddle Ability Water Sports
Runners Up: Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club, Havard Stables

Best Activity, Experience or Tour | Winner: Sweet Home Alpaca
Runners Up: Llyn Llys Y Fran Lake, Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking

Best Attraction Award | Winner: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Runners Up: Heatherton World of Activities, Picton Castle Gardens

Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse | Winner: Elm Grove Country House
Runners Up: Roch Castle, Penrhiw Priory

Best Camping & Glamping Award | Winner: Florence Springs Glamping and Camping Village
Runners Up: Beavers Retreat Glamping, Nights Under Canvas

Best Caravan Park | Winner: Trees Caravan Park
Runners Up: Redford Caravan Park Ltd, Lawrenny Quay Holiday Park

Best Dog Friendly Award | Winner: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery
Runners Up: Sleekstone Holidays, Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages

Best Event Award | Winner: 4theRegion
Runners Up: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Best Place to Eat  Award | Winner: Fernery Restaurant 
Runners Up: The Really Wild Emporium, Blas Restaurant 

Best Self-Catering 1-3 Units | Winner: Sleekstone Holidays
Runners Up: Manorbier Castle – Self-let Accommodations, Dyffryn Conin Farm Holiday-Let, Preseli Hills Cottages 

Best Self-Catering 4+ Units | Winner: Bluestone National Park Resort
Runners Up: Musselwick Farm Cottages, Florence Springs Luxury Lodges

Bro a Byd (Environmental & Sustainable) Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

Best Hotel Award | Winner: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront
Runners Up: Grove of Narberth, Twr y Felin Hotel

Pub of the Year Award | Winner: The Wolfe Inn Wolfscastle
Runners Up: The Cove Bar & Restaurant, Ferry Inn

Rising star Award | Winner: Charly Dix, Lan y Mor Restaurant

Sustainable & Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers Award | Winner: 
Fishguard Bay Welcome

Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery, St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery

Emma Thornton CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire commented: “This event was a result of an exciting partnership between Visit Pembrokeshire, the Seren collection and Pembrokeshire College who worked together to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests serving a delicious 3 course meal featuring locally sourced Pembrokeshire produce. This was partnership working at its best. A big thank you to all our Category sponsors and supporters without whom this event would not have been possible.”

 The winners will now go forward to the Southwest Regional Awards later this year, followed by the National Visit Wales Awards in Spring 2025.

To see highlights from the event visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/gallery-2024/

CAWS TEIFI, a family-run farm and artisan cheese maker based in Llandysul, has received £100,000 funding from NatWest to improve the energy efficiency of Glynhynod Farm.

The business was founded in 1982 and has been producing high quality Welsh cheese for almost four decades. The family run firm was started by siblings Paula and John, along with John’s wife Patrice, who all made the move from Holland to purchase the farm in Llandysul.

Today the farm is run by John and Patrice’s sons, Robert and John-James, who have continued the family traditions by using a 500-year-old Gouda recipe to create their cheese, named after the nearby River Teifi.

As part of the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable business investment, the funding will enable Caws Teifi to install a large solar array, battery storage and a vehicle EV charging point to help reduce the farm’s utility costs, enhance energy efficiency and boost environmental efforts.

In addition to the eco-conscious installations, the owners also plan to use the funding to make improvements to the farm’s visitor areas to support additional revenue streams, including adding a viewing gallery for guests to get a true picture of the cheesemaking and buttermaking process, from field to fork.

Serving as the longest established artisan cheesemaker in Wales, Caws Teifi blend commercial cheesemaking methods with more traditional techniques, with much of the equipment over 100 years old, an approach which has seen the family-run business win a multitude of national awards including The Royal Welsh Show and The British and World Cheese Awards.

Looking to the future, the family hopes to continue growing and creating further local employment opportunities. Robert and John-James are taking forward their parent’s vision, with a programme of events dedicated to education on organic farming, local artisan food and drink and business self-sufficiency.

Commenting on the funding, Rob Savage-Onstwedder, Business Partner and Director at Glynhynod Farm, said: “At Caws Teifi we’re proud of our heritage, as well as understanding the importance of innovation and the need to adapt, this has become a key part of our success and longevity as a business.

“We all have a responsibility to try to improve the way we do things for the good of the planet and for our own local communities.

“NatWest’s commitment to supporting our green initiatives and new business endeavors has been invaluable. Working with a local manager who understands the business, our partners and local community as well as the market has been vital in helping us achieve our growth aims.”

As one of the UK’s biggest banks for small businesses, NatWest works collaboratively with customers to understand their needs and help them find solutions to support their businesses as they grow.

Huw Simpkins, Relationship Manager at NatWest, added: “This funding builds on a relationship of 18 years with the family at Glynhynod Farm and marks a very exciting time for the farms’ future. 

“The team’s commitment to the local community as well as their dedication to consistent, well thought-through innovation and expansion has earned them a well-deserved reputation both locally and nationally, and we’re proud to be able to have a role within their exciting next chapter.”