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Welsh Government project delivers £676 million boost to food and drink industry

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HELIX Programme relaunched with continued funding to support innovation and sustainability

A WELSH Government-backed initiative has delivered over £676 million in value to the nation’s food and drink industry since its launch in 2016.

Project HELIX, which provides technical and innovation support to Welsh food and drink manufacturers, has been a cornerstone of government efforts to drive growth, improve standards and enhance competitiveness across the sector. Assistance has ranged from product development and factory design to achieving third-party food safety certifications and boosting process efficiency.

The announcement of the total impact coincides with the release of the Project HELIX Annual Report 2024–25, covering the period 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2025.

During this time, the project has:

  • Delivered £303 million in industry impact
  • Supported the creation of 188 new jobs and safeguarded a further 6,131
  • Assisted with the development of 533 new products
  • Enabled businesses to achieve 149 third-party certifications
  • Worked with 199 companies, including 103 start-ups

Owing to its success, the Welsh Government has confirmed continued investment in the project, which has now been relaunched as the HELIX Programme.

One of the businesses to benefit from Project HELIX is Pembrokeshire Gold, a family-run producer of cold-pressed rapeseed oil. The company received support with factory design, labelling and product innovation.

Harry Thomas, co-owner of Pembrokeshire Gold, said: “The support from Project HELIX has been a huge help in developing our product range. Their expertise gave us the knowledge and belief to turn our cold-pressed rapeseed oil into something more – and something we’re really proud of.”

Another success story is Llanfairpwll Distillery in Anglesey, which received assistance to convert leftover rum distillation liquid into animal feed, now sold to local farmers.

Robert Laming, owner of the distillery, said: “Project HELIX support has enabled us to manufacture our rum with zero waste, helping reduce pollution and preserve resources – while saving money for both the farmer and us.”

Carmarthenshire-based Mario’s Ice Cream also benefited, securing BRCGS Start intermediate certification – a globally recognised food safety standard for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Riccardo Dallavalle, Director of Operations, said: “The support from Project HELIX has been vital in enabling Mario’s to secure certification and, as a result, drive further business growth.”

Welsh Government Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who also holds the Climate Change and Rural Affairs portfolio, praised the programme’s achievements: “The remarkable £676 million impact delivered by Project HELIX demonstrates how strategic government investment can transform an industry. This initiative has created jobs, driven innovation, and helped Welsh producers compete in global markets.
“I’m delighted to confirm continued funding through the HELIX Programme, which will unite industry, academia and government to support sustainable growth in one of Wales’ most vital sectors.”

Professor David Lloyd, speaking on behalf of the HELIX Programme, added: “The financial and employment impact of Project HELIX is a testament to the value of knowledge exchange across government, academia and industry. The HELIX Programme will continue this momentum by focusing on productivity, innovation and raising standards in Welsh food and drink.”

Project HELIX has been delivered by a network of Welsh food innovation centres, including Food Centre Wales (Ceredigion), the Food Technology Centre (Anglesey), and ZERO2FIVE at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Under the newly launched HELIX Programme, AberInnovation in Ceredigion will provide expanded academic research support across Wales.

To learn more about the HELIX Programme and how your business can benefit, visit:
👉 https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/how-we-can-help/innovation-centres

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

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Business

Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand

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THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.

The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.

The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.

As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.

The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.

He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.

“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”

The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.

The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.

The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.

Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”

The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.

Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).

 

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