Business

Show puts Welsh food and drink on the map

Published

11 years ago

March 13, 2015

SOME well-known Welsh food and drink companies will be celebrating St David’s day a little further afield this year as they show off the best of our local produce at the annual Foodex show in Japan.

The seven businesses, which will be supported by the Welsh Government under the Food and Drink Wales banner, include Pembrokeshire’s own Tan y Castell Food Ltd. Other producers include the Snowdonia Cheese Company, The Purple Moose Brewery, and Anglesey-based seafood business The Lobster Pot.

Gregory Summerly of Tan y Castell, explained how the chance to show their produce to a new audience would benefit his company: ‘We specialise in traditional baked food such as Welsh cakes and bara brith and, while our products can be seen in most food outlets across the UK, we are in a position now to consider options further abroad.

‘The chance to exhibit at Foodex and to discuss with distributors will allow us to identify consumer needs within those markets and respond accordingly. For a company of our size this would not be possible without Welsh Government support and, if all goes well, I hope that our Welsh cakes will be seen further afield in future.’

Tristan Wood from The Lobster Pot agreed that the show offered a valuable chance for companies to expand their export markets: ‘Foodex in Tokyo will give us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our produce and meet face to face with key buyers and distributors. Hopefully it will be the first and important step for us into the Asian market,’ he said.

There is no better time to celebrate and appreciate Welsh food and drink than around St David’s Day, according to the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans:

‘St David’s Day celebrations will obviously be an important time for us in Wales, but there will also be celebrations across the world. There is a strong Welsh society in Tokyo which is very proud of its Welsh ancestry, and this year some of our best Welsh food and drink companies will be there to help them celebrate.

‘Supporting this key sector is crucial for the Welsh economy as food and drink exports are worth over £300 million per annum – and we are looking to grow that year on year. Events such as Foodex open up many possibilities for new distributors and buyers and I wish all our producers the very best in Japan.

‘In addition to the export aspirations, this visit will also give us an opportunity to promote inward investment possibilities in Wales. We have a long tradition of co-operation with Japanese companies within Wales and further high quality investment will be of great benefit to our economy.’

The four-day show begins on March 3, and takes place in Makuhari Messe Halls, Chiba. Now in its 40th year, organisers expect to see 75000 buyers and visitors attend, who will sample the produce of 2800 exhibitors from 83 countries.

Business

Tenby sailing club works approved by national park

Published

17 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for works to Tenby’s listed building sailing club to improve energy efficiency for the community organisation has been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Harrison Richards of Tenby Sailing Club sought permission for replacing 24 timber windows at the Grade-II-listed Tenby Sailing Club, Penniless Cove Hill, with new Accoya timber double-glazed units.

The application added: “An energy survey conducted by Dragon Energy Consultants highlighted the existing single glazing and rotten window frames as a significant contributor to the club’s energy consumption.

“Tenby Sailing Club is a community organisation which seeks to organise activities year-round but faces significant energy costs being housed in a historic building. The current windows are beyond repair, with cracked glazing, decay, water ingress, and poor energy efficiency.

“The two windows at balcony level are not included, as they were previously replaced and remain in good condition. All new units will replicate the existing profiles, dimensions, glazing patterns, and overall appearance, ensuring no visual change to the building’s character.

“The neighbouring three-storey harbour stores occupied by Tenby Sea Cadets have previously replaced the building’s windows with double glazing. This like-for-like replacement in appearance will improve durability, weather resistance, and thermal performance while preserving the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The Sailing Club was built as a warehouse c. 1825, abutting the C17 sluice. Originally wine stores, it was later used by the local fishermen for stores and is now the home to Tenby Sailing Club, established in 1936.”

It said no adverse comments to the proposals had been received.

It added: “The proposal is to replace the majority (24 total) of windows in painted timber, double-glazed with face-mounted glazing bars of traditional scale and profile. Whilst a modern practice of glazing, the proposal involves no loss of historic fabric, provides an obvious visual improvement and addresses concerns as to heating costs.”

It finished: “The scheme is considered to be in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Business

Taxi fare shock in Milford Haven as drivers switch to meters

Published

22 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TAXI passengers in Milford Haven are facing a sudden jump in fares, as drivers increasingly switch on their meters and charge full council-approved rates.

One Herald reader said a short return trip from Milford Haven to Neyland cost £30 — around double what he expected to pay.

But drivers insist the prices are not new — they are simply the official tariff now being applied.

Under Pembrokeshire County Council rules, the standard daytime fare starts at £4 for the first mile (£5 after 6pm), rising by around £3 per mile thereafter. Waiting time is also charged, meaning even short return journeys can quickly add up.

Higher rates apply in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays.

End of the £3 taxi

Milford Haven has long been known for cheap taxis, with short in-town journeys often costing as little as £3 — far below official rates.

That was down to competition, older vehicles, and the need to keep prices low in a town where many rely on affordable transport.

Drivers say those days are now over.

One local driver told The Herald: “People got used to cheap fares, but that was never the real price. Now we have to use the meter or we’re losing money.”

Fuel costs biting

Most taxis run on diesel, now around 170p per litre locally. For drivers covering long distances each day, the increase has hit hard.

Global tensions in the Middle East have pushed up oil prices, feeding directly into higher fuel costs in the UK.

With fare increases requiring a lengthy council process, many drivers say they have no option but to charge the full tariff.

Vulnerable hit hardest

The change is being felt most by those who rely on taxis the most.

Elderly residents, people on low incomes and those without access to a car are now facing higher everyday travel costs.

There has been no recent increase in Pembrokeshire’s official taxi fares, which have remained broadly unchanged since 2022.

The difference is simple: drivers are now charging them.

As one put it: “We’re not putting prices up — we’re just finally charging what we’re supposed to be charging.”

Business

Cardiff Airport expects Easter passenger surge as demand rises

Published

24 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIFF AIRPORT is preparing for a busy Easter getaway, with more than 46,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport over the holiday period.

The figure represents an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting growing demand for both sunshine destinations and European city breaks.

The busiest routes this Easter are set to be Alicante, Dublin and Málaga, with flights operated by airlines including Ryanair, Vueling and TUI Airways.

Travellers heading for warmer weather can also take advantage of direct flights to the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, alongside popular destinations such as Faro and Palma.

The airport says the increase builds on a strong start to 2026, with passenger numbers continuing to rise.

Chief executive Jon Bridge said the airport is approaching the one million passenger mark and expects the summer season to be its busiest since the pandemic.

He said: “It’s been an incredibly positive start to the year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more passengers over the Easter period.

“Our teams are working hard to ensure travellers can start their holidays smoothly.”

Passengers travelling over Easter are being advised to allow extra time for their journey and check with airlines for the latest updates.

A total of 46,158 passengers are expected to pass through the airport between March 27 and April 12, with arrivals and departures almost evenly split.

Cardiff Airport said it continues to expand its range of destinations, including the addition of a direct service to Toronto, as it looks to strengthen its role in connecting Wales to international travel.