• Welsh milk sourced, processed, and bottled exclusively in Wales

PEMBROKESHIRE CREAMERY has officially launched its cutting-edge milk processing facility in Pembrokeshire, marking a significant milestone in its mission to bring ‘fully Welsh’ milk to Welsh consumers.

The creamery opened on Tuesday (Jul 2). It is the only BRCGS-accredited liquid milk facility in Wales, meaning it is the only facility able to supply major retailers in Wales with Welsh milk. By removing the need for Welsh milk to be transported to bottling plants in England, Pembrokeshire Creamery is reducing food miles, increasing supply chain efficiency, creating new skilled jobs, and supporting local farming communities.

Pembrokeshire Creamery, which has created around 80 new jobs, has the capacity to bottle more than a million litres of milk a week and has recently announced major deals to supply own-branded milk to Asda and Lidl stores across Wales. When the dairy reaches full capacity, it will be able to supply around 2 million litres of milk a week.

The development of Pembrokeshire Creamery was initially supported by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council when they formed a joint venture to create the Pembrokeshire Food Park. This was instrumental as it created the plots and infrastructure required (drainage, water, and power) for Pembrokeshire Creamery to locate its new state-of-the-art dairy.

Subsequent Welsh Government support was awarded with £5 million grant funding through the Food Business Investment Scheme and an additional £1.4 million of grant funding from the Food Business Accelerator Scheme.

Funding support has also been provided by HSBC and to date, nearly £20 million has been invested in the site to process high-quality Welsh milk that is farmed, bottled, and sold in Wales.

The company recently announced plans to support the development of a second milk processing line and automated trolley fillers, meeting the growing demand for locally sourced Welsh milk while ensuring the industry’s future sustainability.

Commenting on the opening, Mark McQuade, managing director of Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd said: “This has been a great opportunity to celebrate our early successes and all that means for the people that we’ve employed and the dairy farmers who we work with. We’re creating new markets with major retailers for authentic Welsh milk which in turn is helping us complete our mission to deliver sustainably sourced Welsh milk, bottled right here in Wales while offering a fair and transparent price to farmers.

“We are already committing to more investment and increasing our capacity – and we would like to thank all of the people locally, our staff and suppliers, who have supported us as we’ve built and opened our new state-of-the-art facility,” he said.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said: “I am delighted that the new Pembrokeshire Creamery has started processing Welsh milk for Lidl and Asda. This new facility, supported by Welsh Government Rural Development investment underlines the commitment of the Welsh Government to the dairy sector in Wales. This investment ensures that milk which previously had to be transported to England is now processed in Wales. As a result, Welsh consumers will now be able to buy Welsh milk, produced in Wales.

“This commitment is part of our vision for achieving growth and productivity improvement which benefits the workforce, people and society. It also supports the industry to reach high levels of sustainability, raising the Food and Drink industry’s reputation in Wales, the UK and overseas,” he said.

Led by an experienced team, Pembrokeshire Creamery emphasises fair pricing for farmers who tirelessly produce high-quality Welsh milk. Their commitment extends to paying a fair market-related price for dairy farmers, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, which is consistent with their aspiration to be at the forefront of the dairy industry.

At the heart of Pembrokeshire Creamery’s mission lies a commitment to sourcing 100% of its milk from Welsh cows, reducing food miles, and supporting local farming communities. Their ultimate goal is to be the leading supplier of Welsh milk.

Images Martin Cavaney/Pembrokeshire Creamery

WORKERS across Wales are showing above-average confidence in their job prospects, with pay expectations set to increase as a result. That’s according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI) – an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

The data revealed that two-thirds (66%) of Welsh workers are confident in their job over the next six months, above the national average of 60%. This optimism is translating into heightened pay inflation expectations, with workers across the country indicating hopes of an average pay rise of 4.6% this year, above the national average of 3.8%.

Interestingly, though, fewer employees in Wales suggested that they would take some form of action – such as seeking a new role in their current business or changing employers – than the national average. Less than half (43%) of Welsh workers would take action if a salary increase wasn’t an option this year, compared to 68% of UK respondents overall.

James Fortnam, Market Director, Wales, Ireland & Scotland at Robert Half, commented: “Job confidence across Wales is clearly high and there are likely a number of reasons for this. Growing skills shortages coupled with the recent reports that the country has the highest rate of economic inactivity are no doubt leading to staff feeling optimistic about demand for their skills. While this has created an environment where pay rise expectations are higher than the national average, employers can be somewhat comforted by the fact that fewer people are likely to take direct action if they don’t receive the salary increase they are after. Of course, that doesn’t mean that businesses can ignore these high levels of confidence. Instead, it should be a catalyst for firms to consider their holistic employment packages and how elements such as tailored benefits packages or career progression programmes can act as more effective attraction tools.”

IMAGE by Vanessa, a designer fashion boutique on Milford Waterfront, celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a sold out, fashion filled afternoon at Tŷ Milford Waterfront in May.

Featuring 10 models and 130 outfits covering everything from black tie events to summer casual, the fashion show demonstrated how the versatile and classy fashion at Vanessa’s draws in clientele from all over the UK. The event was in support of Gelliswick Ladies Choir, who performed for attendees.

Discussing the event, Vanessa Hackett, Owner of Image by Vanessa said: “It was a pleasure to be able to celebrate my 20th Anniversary with my customers. I would like to extend a huge thank you to all who attended the show. Over £1400 was raised for Gelliswick Community Choir and I cannot thank our customers enough for their support and generosity.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors The Port of Milford Haven, Tŷ Milford Waterfront and Pure West Radio. Plus, an extra special thank you to all our fabulous models and my staff, without whom the event would not have been possible.

I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I first opened my doors on Milford Waterfront. It’s been a pleasure to grow my business in such a beautiful location.”

Natalie Hunt, Destination Manager at Milford Waterfront, and featured model at the Fashion Show added: “Image by Vanessa’s is an amazing success story for businesses. Having been at Milford Waterfront for 20 years, Image by Vanessa’s is a true staple of what is on offer here for visitors. We are so proud to be the home to such a well-run and truly unique fashion boutique.

Vanessa’s brings visitors from all over to get beautifully curated fashion pieces for events, holidays and every day.

We are incredibly pleased to have supported Vanessa’s anniversary fashion show and to continue to collaborate in the future.”