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.

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR of a prominent car dealership has spoken about the “heartbreak” of making staff redundant for the first time in its history following a “devastating” fire.

Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Ron Skinner and Sons, described “sleepless nights” and “a lot of worry” after the blaze that tore through the company’s Tredegar site in August. However, he also shared his family’s resolve to rebuild, with the recent opening of a showroom marking a “new era” for the business.

The fire destroyed more than 350 cars and machinery, with estimated losses running into the millions. Eighteen employees were made redundant as a result, a first in the company’s decades-long history.

The fire, reported early on Saturday, August 16, consumed the entire Tredegar building.

“By the time I got here, the whole building was ablaze. I couldn’t believe the scale of it,” said Mr Skinner. Firefighters worked only on the building’s perimeter due to the fire’s intensity, which was exacerbated by the stock.

Philip and his brother Mark, also a managing director, were left in shock but knew they needed to inform their mother, 88-year-old Rachel Skinner, who co-founded the business in 1968 with her late husband, Ron Skinner.

“She had a good 10-minute cry,” said Philip. “But by that afternoon, she told us, ‘Boys, roll up your sleeves and get it put back up.’”

Rebuilding the business

The journey to rebuild has been challenging. “Nothing was recoverable—everything was completely destroyed, even cars outside were burnt to shells,” said Philip. Wages and large bills had to be met despite the devastation, pushing the family business to its financial limits.

Family and friends rallied to help, contributing funds to stabilize the company, which also operates showrooms in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire. Despite this support, talks with insurers made clear that job losses were unavoidable.

“It was heartbreaking to see people I’ve worked with for so long take voluntary redundancy and leave,” Philip admitted.

While the fire and redundancies hit the company hard, the Pembrokeshire showroom continues to thrive, playing a vital role in maintaining the business’s regional presence. “Our Pembrokeshire site has always been a stronghold, and the community here has shown immense support,” said Mr Skinner.

The company’s new Tredegar showroom opened recently, smaller than the old site but full of promise. Sales manager Jonathan Robinson, who has worked with the company for 12 years, said: “The response has been incredible. It was so heartening to see the community rally around us despite Storm Bert.”

Philip Skinner is optimistic about the future. “It feels like going back 25 years to one of our oldest sites and starting fresh. This is the beginning of a new era for Ron Skinner and Sons.”

Determined family: The Skinners have rebuilt the business after fire destruction (Pic: Ron Skinner and Sons).

CARDIGAN’S BROADBAND WOES
THE B4570 in Ponthirwaun, Cardigan, has been revealed as Wales’ slowest street for broadband, with residents struggling with average speeds of just 2.28Mb. This cripplingly slow connection contrasts sharply with the fastest street in Wales, Chamberlain Row in Dinas Powys, where speeds soar to 735.81Mb — an astonishing 323 times faster.

DAILY FRUSTRATIONS FOR RESIDENTS
For those living in Cardigan’s B4570, everyday online activities become daunting tasks. Downloading a high-definition film takes nearly six hours — a glaring reminder of the growing digital divide across Wales.

WINNERS AND LOSERS IN WALES’ BROADBAND RACE
The findings, published by Broadband Genie, highlight the stark disparity in connection speeds across the country. While some streets, like Chamberlain Row and Llanasa Road in Gronant, enjoy lightning-fast speeds, others, including Cardigan’s B4570, lag far behind.

UNUSED SUPERFAST POTENTIAL
Ironically, many of the slowest areas in Wales, including Cardigan’s B4570, have access to superfast broadband, capable of delivering speeds over 30Mb. Some even have full-fibre connections capable of reaching 1Gb. The low uptake raises questions about whether residents are aware of these options or find them affordable.

A CALL FOR ACTION
Broadband Genie’s strategist Alex Tofts urged residents to take action: “No one should have to endure such slow speeds, especially as providers continue to increase prices. If your broadband underperforms, contact your provider and ensure you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for.”

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Cardigan’s broadband struggles reflect broader issues facing rural Wales. While full-fibre broadband is available to 72% of premises, many rural areas are slow to adopt it. Bridging this digital divide is vital to ensure all communities have the connectivity they need to thrive in today’s digital age.