AN ONLINE meeting was held on Monday evening (Dec 2) to discuss the next steps in the Smart Towns initiative for Fishguard and Goodwick. The initiative aims to introduce cutting-edge technology to enhance business intelligence, tourism management, and environmental monitoring across the twin towns.

The meeting, hosted by Greenwood of Owen Davies Consulting, included representatives from North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism (NPTT), the Town Council, and Pembrokeshire County Council. Despite a lower-than-expected turnout, discussions highlighted the transformative potential of smart technology in the area.

Greenwood expressed confidence in the initiative, stating: “We already have much of the necessary infrastructure in place. This project will provide valuable insights into the twin town environment, driving prosperity and vitality for residents for years to come.”

Benefits of smart technology

The Smart Towns initiative promises to deliver a host of advantages, including:

• Boosting Tourism: Real-time information and improved connectivity to enhance visitor experiences.
• Supporting Businesses: Tools to analyse customer trends and optimise operations.
• Environmental Monitoring: Sensors to track air and water quality, as well as ecosystems.
• Improved Transport: Insights into car park availability, bus schedules, and waiting times.

Mark Rummery of Ivybridge Guesthouse emphasized the initiative’s wide-ranging applications, noting: “The analytics offered by this system are impressive. From monitoring car park usage to tracking public transport trends, this technology can address a variety of local needs.”

Challenges and opportunities

Attendees identified several challenges, including securing local buy-in and funding. Fishguard currently lacks dedicated personnel to oversee the project, a gap that could be addressed by hiring IT staff or creating a role within the Town Council.

Pembrokeshire County Council representatives stressed the need to focus on tangible benefits, such as revitalizing the town centre, to secure financial support. Rummery suggested that potential revenue streams from data analytics could make the project self-financing.

Next steps

The initiative remains in its exploratory phase. Stakeholders are encouraged to get involved to maximize the project’s potential. A formal presentation of the meeting’s discussions will be shared with decision-makers in the coming weeks.

“This initiative should be a cornerstone of our strategic plan for 2025/26,” Rummery added. “It’s vital that we engage all sectors of our community—high street traders, educators, transport operators, and more—to bring this vision to life.”

For further information or to view the presentation slides, contact Jeremy Martineau, Hon Secretary of North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism, via visitfishguard.co.uk.