SEAFOOD restaurants and takeaways have an exciting opportunity to attract and engage customers by highlighting the numerous health benefits of their dishes.

That’s the message from three multi-award-winning businesses recognised for their innovative approaches to promoting the health aspects fish and shellfish.

As the New Year sparks a focus on healthier living, Towngate Fisheries in Yorkshire, Fish City in Belfast and Something Else Fishy in Dorset are leading the way in highlighting seafood as a nutritious choice. They hope to inspire others in hospitality to weave health-focused messaging into their customer engagement.

The businesses’ efforts are part of Seafish’s new Seafood for Life initiative, which champions the benefits of fish and shellfish while celebrating industry best practice. Profiles of the three businesses are featured in the health section of the Seafood for Life web hub, alongside a blog by registered dietician Juliet Kellow outlining 10 healthy reasons to eat more seafood in 2025. There is an accompanying downloadable factsheet.

Businesses are invited to use these resources to help inform their own approaches to promoting seafood’s health benefits.

Explaining his rationale for promoting the healthy eating aspects of fish in his fish and chip shop, Towngate Fisheries owner Mark Drummond said: “One out of 10 customers might be interested in health, but if you can get to that extra 10% of customers, that can mean the difference between a business breaking even or making a good profit.”

John Lavery, owner of Fish City restaurant in Belfast said: “Fish is a healthy, natural protein, often with little or no processing. Government guidelines recommend a minimum of two portions per week, so I believe, from a promotional point of view, this provides an opportunity we should focus on.”

Nicki Else runs Something Else Fishy in Dorset. She explained: “For us, it’s about showcasing the wide range of benefits of seafood and fitting a health message into that. I would encourage other businesses to do something like this because it builds loyalty from your customers – they trust you because you are knowledgeable.”

Seafish Chief Executive Marcus Coleman said: “The aim of Seafood for Life is to showcase the benefits of seafood and the good work of the UK industry that produces it. We want to help businesses have informed conversations with their customers that encourage them to eat more fish and shellfish.

“As we begin 2025, we know many people are thinking about ways to be a bit healthier, so we’ve kicked off the year with a focus on the nutritional benefits of seafood. We’re highlighting great examples of businesses which are already successfully promoting the health aspects of their dishes and offering resources for the industry which we hope will inspire and inform their own activities.”

Pictured above: John Davery from Fish City

THE FUTURE of Cardigan’s well-used and much-loved Memorial Pool remains uncertain, with Ceredigion County Council unable to guarantee its inclusion in the proposed new wellbeing centre earmarked for the same site.

The pool, which served the community for over four decades, closed in March last year despite widespread local fundraising efforts. Trustees cited soaring energy costs, falling income, and substantial maintenance and repair expenses as reasons for its closure.

Since then, children have been forced to travel to Newcastle Emlyn, Crymych, or Llandysul for swimming lessons, while adults who relied on the hydrotherapy pool to manage arthritis and other chronic conditions have seen their health deteriorate.

The closure has also dealt a blow to Cardigan Swimming Club, which previously had 50 junior members, and Poppit Sands Surf Lifesaving Club, whose winter training depended on the pool. Concerns are mounting that the lack of local swimming facilities will prevent children from reaching the standards needed for sea-based training, undermining water safety in a coastal town known for its busy beaches.

Residents have taken to social media to express their anger and disappointment at the council’s inaction. One resident wrote: “How can a coastal town like Cardigan not have a swimming pool? Teaching children to swim is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The council needs to wake up and prioritise our safety.”

Another frustrated parent said: “My son used to swim at the Memorial Pool every week. Now we’re travelling an hour for lessons. It’s exhausting and expensive. Why are families being left to pick up the pieces?”

Local campaigner Bethan Jones added: “The council’s lack of clarity is deeply worrying. We’ve heard nothing but vague promises and silence. The wellbeing centre sounds great, but it’s meaningless if a pool isn’t included.”

The council recently announced plans to develop a new wellbeing centre on the pool site, chosen over three other potential locations. The facility is set to accommodate Hywel Dda University Health Board services and other community health provisions. However, it remains unclear whether a swimming pool will form part of the plans.

A council spokesperson said: “The business case for the wellbeing centre is currently being developed. This work will identify the services that could be delivered at the centre and the facility mix required to accommodate them. At present, no decision has been made on what will and won’t be included.”

Despite repeated calls from the community for clarity, the council added that it is “unable to comment further at this time.”

With so much at stake for the health, safety, and wellbeing of local residents, the future of Cardigan’s much-missed Memorial Pool hangs in the balance. For now, the voices of concerned residents continue to grow louder, demanding answers and action from those in charge.

Exactly two years ago, The Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall have received a Capital Grant to undertake much needed renovation work.

The Sport Wales Capital Grant of £207,000 from Welsh Government was secured by Ceredigion County Council to fund essential capital works at Cardigan Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall.

The grant enabled the Swimming Pool to upgrade its Pool Plant Equipment and Air Handling Unit, insulate the roof above the toddler pool and purchase new Pool covers.

Matt Newland, Chairman of Cardigan Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall Trustees, said at the time: “The swimming pool and hall trustees are delighted to announce that we have received a grant from Sports Wales to carry out much needed works to the pool to enable it to continue running. The trustees would like to thank Ceredigion County Council for their assistance and support. Cardigan Swimming pool and hall is run by the trustees committee for the benefit of the community. It is an essential resource and this grant will help secure our future.”

TRAFFIC was disrupted yesterday (Jan 7) after multiple loose horses were spotted on Lower Lamphey Road, Pembroke. Motorists and pedestrians were urged to approach the area with caution as the horses roamed freely on the road and nearby residential areas, causing delays and raising safety concerns.

Pembrokeshire County Council recently announced that it has teamed up with Dyfed-Powys Police to tackle the growing problem of horses being left on public land and highways, known as fly-grazing.

The move comes after a significant rise in incidents across the county, causing safety concerns and public disruption.

Over the Christmas period, both agencies will work collaboratively in an operational effort to address the issue.

This joint approach responds to ongoing community concerns and forms part of a wider initiative to enable partner agencies to deal more effectively with fly-grazing.

The situation comes just days after authorities announced their initiative to tackle the issue through a coordinated approach, highlighting the urgency and importance of addressing fly-grazing concerns.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns about fly-grazing by contacting [email protected] or calling 01437 764551.