News
Pembroke Dock: Future uncertain for Friday-Ad’s call centre
THE PEMBROKE DOCK call centre owned and operated by Friday Media Group looks likely to close, as the company say there is a decline in the need for a call handling operation as their business moves online.
The call centre, which has been run by Friday Media Group since the collapse of ITV Digital in 2002, employs sixty staff in sales, information technology and management roles.
Sources close to the company have told The Herald that the Pembroke Dock based staff are now facing the prospect of redundancy.
A former employee told The Herald that in its heyday in 2006 and 2007 the centre employed 160 staff.
In a prepared statement sent to The Herald by Managing Director Sam Kidger and Group Finance Director Scott Ryan, the company said: “We are currently engaged in a period of consultation with our Pembrokeshire staff to help determine the future of our Pembroke dock call centre at the Cleddau Bridge business park. We intend to complete the process by autumn.
“We have always had a huge amount of respect for our loyal workforce in Pembroke Dock and we intend to fully support them through this process.
“We established Pembroke as a call centre in 2002 when the need for us to handle high call volumes was paramount to our business model.
“This call handling requirement has gradually declined as we have expanded as an online and marketing led business.
“Our growth now is occurring in our online marketplaces nationally and internationally, an arena which a traditional call centre is struggling to support. This is evident in how competitors such as Gumtree and Ebay have built their operations as self service entities.
“It is for these reasons that we are now seeking a satisfactory resolution to address the challenges we face in Pembroke Dock.”
READ THE FULL REPORT IN THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD TOMORROW
Charity
Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities
ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.
The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.
This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.
For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.
Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.
Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.
Charity
£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital
THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.
Their 37th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.
They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.
The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.
Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.
Community
Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success
NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.
Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.
The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.
A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.
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