Business

Welsh food firm launches innovative cost cutting app for customers

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2025

A WELSH food wholesaler, which has base in Carmarthen, is launching a raft of measures including an innovative new rewards app to help customers cope with the cost of living crisis.

Harlech Foodservice says many businesses have been dealt a “real body blow” by controversial Budget measures, including the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions.

There have already been warnings of hotels, pubs and cafes struggling to cope with the extra staff costs and experts predict that some care homes will be forced to close.

The My Harlech loyalty app will be unveiled at Harlech’s annual two-day trade fair Expo 25, that’s being held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Wednesday and Thursday, March 12 and 13.

According to Harlech, which has bases in Cricieth in Gwynedd, Chester, Carmarthen, Merthyr Tydfil and Telford, the app rewards customers with a rebate of up to 10% on what they spend with them each year.

They’ll qualify for a further 5% rebate for the additional spend with Harlech compared to the previous year.

David Cattrall, the Managing Director of Harlech, said: “With all the challenges the hospitality, care and education sectors are facing in 2025 we have doubled down on how Harlech can help save money for our customers.

“Whilst some foodservice companies are increasing prices for customers, we have improved our efficiency and driven down our prices.

“It’s our way of giving something back to our loyal customers and doing our best to them navigate a very difficult economic climate.”

Harlech has announced it’s launching its latest version of its Trust Our Prices campaign, with more than 300 prices locked down for three months until June 7.

There’s also a return for its Mega Deals initiative with what it describes as “massive discounts” on popular brands and own branded products.

Meanwhile, the company is introducing the Harlech Top 50 price comparison scheme, with the prices of 50 of the most popular lines being benchmarked against the giant Booker company and published on the website every Tuesday.

Mr Cattrall said: “We have very deliberately gone about disrupting the way foodservice companies have operated in the past.

“For far too long there has been a common practice of announcing inflated prices and then going through a ritualistic charade to ‘negotiate the prices down’.

“That’s why we launched our hugely popular Trust Our Prices strategy because we are conscious that many of our customers are trading in an extremely difficult environment.

“Times are tough. After the nightmare of Covid, the Budget measures which come into force in April are a real body blow.

“The 1.2 per cent rise in Employer National Insurance contributions and a cut to the Secondary Threshold to £5,000 will add significant extra costs in terms of staff.

“What we’re trying to do with the My Harlech app and the other cost-saving initiatives is to ease the financial burden for our customers in hospitality, social care and education to help them ride the economic storm.

“We also want to make life a lot simpler for them with very competitive, transparent pricing – no hassle, no haggle – backed up by excellent customer service.”

A record number of 120 suppliers will be showcasing their products at Expo 25 where sales are expected to top £1 million.

Among those with a presence for the first time will be two of the global giants of the food and drink businesses, Coca-Cola and Mars, who have each taken stands at the event.

Also there will be two of Harlech’s newest partners, both with an Italian flavour, Sidoli’s ice-cream, set up in Ebbw Vale over 100 years ago by Benedetto Sidoli and still in the same family, and Ferrari Coffee from Bridgend, which was founded by Vittorio Ferrari in 1927.

They will join a host of other household names at the event which will see Harlech, which has bases in Cricieth, Chester, Carmarthen, Merthyr Tydfil and Telford, unveil its latest Trust Our Prices range with over 300 deals for its customers pegging prices for the next three months.

Alongside Coca-Cola and Mars at the trade fair will be a host of food and drink supply giants including Pepsi, Kellogg’s, Young’s Seafood, Premier Foods, Cadbury’s, Twinings tea, Walkers crisps and Unilever.

Nationally known Welsh brands such as Jones Village Bakery, Edwards the Welsh Butcher, Llaeth y Llan Village Dairy and Radnor Springs, from Knighton, in Mid Wales, will also all be there.

Caption

David Cattrall, Managing Director of Harlech Foodservice

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

15 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

22 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.