News

Covid-19 related job cuts risk at Castell Howell Foods

Published

6 years ago

June 23, 2020

CASTELL HOWELL FOODS LTD, the Carmarthenshire based food wholesaler and processor, has entered into a period of consultation with its employees with regard to potential job cuts due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the food service and hospitality sector. The Company, which employs over 700 people across its sites, has released the following statement: “Sadly, the effect of the pandemic on the food service and hospitality sector means that we have to enter into consultation with staff in relation to potential job losses.

Despite our efforts to increase sales to non-core business customers, retail/public sales and other new markets, our weekly sales are down by 65%, and it
appears unlikely that trade will recover fully until well into 2021.

Major events have been cancelled, and it is likely that our core customers such as schools, pubs, restaurants, hotels, cafés and workplace catering will not open to full capacity for several months. As the UK Government’s furlough scheme is due to end in October, we regrettably need to start the consultation process with our staff so that further financial losses are minimised once Government support ends.

We are unable to confirm how many jobs could be lost, as this depends on the extent to which our customers are able to resume trading while operating within social distancing rules. Cuts are expected to come from a combination of voluntary and compulsory redundancies and reduced hours.

This safety action will ensure that we are able to continue to provide our customers with a level of service to support them as they begin to reopen their businesses. We hope that during the consultation period, more customers will have the opportunity to resume trading and that a clear plan for the sector will become apparent. This will help mitigate the total number of job losses and allow businesses to plan with a degree of certainty.

We have to begin this safety action to protect the medium to long term viability of our business and to ensure that our role in the supply chain to key customers which include the NHS and Local Authorities is not compromised.”

Castell Howell Managing Director Brian Jones commented: “This has been a very difficult decision, and it saddens me personally as I know the concern that this consultation period will cause our employees. We will do our utmost to support them during this period. I sincerely hope that any jobs lost in the short term will eventually be re-created as and when the hospitality sector recovers.

“After more than 30 years of building the business and trading successfully, this was certainly not something I thought we’d ever have to contemplate. I’d like to reassure everyone associated with our Company, including our hugely loyal customer base, that taking these protective measures will ensure that Castell Howell can continue to provide the service levels for which we are renowned.”

Local Government

Armed Forces flag flies over County Hall

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE ARMED FORCES flag is flying proudly at County Hall this week ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27.

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Simon Hancock were among those who marked the flag raising on Monday morning (June 22).

Also present were the Chairman of Council, Cllr Delme Harries, the Chief Executive, Will Bramble and the Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards.

Cllr Hancock said: “It is always a very proud moment to see the Armed Forces Flag flying over County Hall.

“Armed Forces Day is a chance to show our deep appreciation for the men and women who serve, as well as the families and communities who support them.

“Our county has a rich history of connection with the Armed Forces, and we are proud to uphold and strengthen that bond.

“As a Council we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community in Pembrokeshire receive the recognition and support they truly deserve and we are proud to be a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holder.”

Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

News

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene

A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on Tuesday (Jun 23), prompting a major emergency response and lengthy road closures.

The incident happened shortly after 12:20pm near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Kidwelly, Carmarthen and Tumble, were sent to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving the bus.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle.

A spokesperson said: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care.”

A rest centre has been established at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, where welfare arrangements are being made for those involved.

The scale of the incident led Dyfed-Powys Police to declare a major incident earlier in the day, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area.

The A484 remains closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog while emergency services continue their response and carry out investigations into the cause of the crash.

Police, ambulance and fire crews remain at the scene.

Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes and are warned that the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.

Emergency services have also issued advice for drivers caught in congestion during the hot weather, urging people to stay hydrated, keep vehicles ventilated and never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside parked vehicles.

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed.