Business
Bertie’s celebrates one year of trading in Pembroke Dock
A PEMBROKE DOCK business is next week celebrating one year of trading in the town.
Located at 34 Dimond Street, Bertie’s Mercantile is a “twenty first century rag and bone merchants,” stocking vintage, antique and crafted goods. The shop opened on the 21st of December last year and has survived the year, but only just, as owner Tess told us.
“It’s been a tough year” she explained. “I knew the town had got a lot quieter since I last lived here thirty years ago, but I didn’t bargain on just how quiet” She went on, “other established businesses in town have told me it’s very quiet for them lately compared to previous years, so I’m pretty chuffed to have lasted.”
Pembroke Dock is not the only town feeling the effects of the post Covid pinch on the high street. All our local towns are showing similar signs of being much less busy since everyone grew accustomed to buying online during the pandemic.
The ongoing cost of living crisis means people have less in their pockets to spend on items they may not need.
“A lot of people didn’t like to buy online before Covid, but once they had to, they got used to it, and it’s much easier, so why not? We all do it.
No-one is more guilty than anyone else, but it does make you wonder what will happen to our high streets.” Tess told us. “Surviving the year meant I had no choice but to sell online, even though I used to hate it. It’s become much easier now, with better systems for sending parcels. Perhaps it’s the only way retailers can survive.”
It is said that our high streets will become more centred towards community, and that may be so. “People do still like to go into shops. That will never change” said Tess, “and the there are some great businesses in the Dock, some lovely shops up here on Dimond Street.
In the new year I’m planning on setting up a museum area in the shop, for toys and puppets and all the other amazing things that are interesting but not necessarily sell-able.
People are always telling me they love coming in because it’s like going to a museum and getting a nice nostalgia hit. So I may as well go with the flow.
After all, my dream job really would be as a toy museum curator. There are plenty of empty buildings in the dock that are big enough for great projects, but they’re sitting empty. I looked into taking on the old Woolworths building, but the rates were complete nonsense. No wonder the towns are dying. And if big retailers like Wilkos are having trouble with their bricks and mortar stores, what hope do we have, realistically?
We need to diversify somehow, but the councils also need to play ball, and help local businesses instead of putting constant obstacles in their way.”
So does that mean Bertie’s Mercantile is a temporary venture? “No” said Tess. “It’s only as temporary as circumstances permit. As long as my building doesn’t get sold, which happened to my old music shop in Narberth, and for as long as I can keep going I will. Ultimately, I suppose, the town will decide. Two or three shops in town have closed over the last year. Most of the buildings around me are empty. I may end up up just being a museum, or a puppet theatre! Who knows? I’m not keen to leave though, so stay tuned I guess!”
Business
Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons
PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.
CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.
Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.
The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.
We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”
The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.
Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.
During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.
For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.
Business
Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards
BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.
Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.
The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.
Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.
Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.
Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.
Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.
For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.
Business
Lidl will be first supermarket to sign up for milk from Pembrokeshire Creamery
LIDL has announced that it will soon become the first major UK supermarket to sell milk exclusively produced and bottled in Wales, thanks to a partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery.
Starting from June 1, Lidl customers in Wales will be able to purchase Welsh own-label milk products, with plans to extend this to include cream shortly thereafter.
Previously, milk produced in Wales was transported to England for bottling before being sold in Welsh stores. However, with a significant £20m investment supported by the Welsh government, Pembrokeshire Creamery has now established the only bottling facility in the country certified to supply supermarkets. This development not only reduces transportation distances, thus cutting down on food miles, but also generates 80 new jobs in the local community.
The initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to support Welsh agriculture and provide consumers with locally sourced products. Their range already includes Welsh bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb, and beef. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the retailer’s dedication to local produce: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.”
Mark McQuade, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Creamery, highlighted the efficiency of the new operation. “The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales,” he said.
This news coincides with Lidl’s announcement of a £500m investment in the British pork industry, aimed at supporting continued production amidst recent challenges such as rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which have significantly impacted the sector.
Lidl’s initiatives are set to bolster not only the local Welsh economy but also the broader agricultural sector across the UK.
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