Business

First milk reports robust growth and strategic advances in latest financial year

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2024

FIRST MILK, the farmer-owned co-operative with a creamery in Haverfordwest, has announced a successful financial year, marked by competitive returns for its members and significant strategic developments aimed at securing future growth. The co-operative’s Annual Financial and Impact Report for the year ending March 31, 2024, highlights a notable increase in both turnover and operating profit, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to driving value for its members.

During the period, First Milk’s turnover rose to £476 million, up from £456 million in the previous year, while operating profit saw a substantial jump to £16.8 million from £5.1 million in 2023. These financial gains have been accompanied by continued capital investment across the business, which totalled £8.4 million, a 13.5% increase from the previous year’s £7.4 million. This investment has primarily focused on enhancing First Milk’s strategic capabilities, enabling the co-operative to maximise value and returns for its members.

A key development in the past year was the acquisition of BV Dairy, a specialist manufacturer of chilled dairy products based in Dorset. Completed in February 2024, this acquisition broadens First Milk’s customer base and product range, positioning the company strongly in the growing markets of food manufacturing, food service, and sectors such as home meal solutions and gut health. BV Dairy’s extensive customer network across Great Britain adds a comprehensive end-to-end solution to First Milk’s service offerings.

Additionally, First Milk has entered into a new partnership with Yeo Valley to form the Naturally Better Dairy Group. This collaboration aims to supply a dedicated milk pool produced by regenerative dairy farmers in South-West England, further underscoring First Milk’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming practices.

The co-operative’s ongoing dedication to regenerative farming is evident, with 96% of its 700 members now implementing regenerative action plans on their farms, covering 98% of its member milk pool. These plans focus on improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon. The number of positive interventions on member farms increased by 59.5% year-on-year, with 261,340 interventions recorded across 84,623 hectares of land. On average, each parcel of land under First Milk’s stewardship will benefit from 11 regenerative interventions this year, up from seven the previous year.

Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive of First Milk, expressed her satisfaction with the co-operative’s performance despite the challenging economic and geopolitical environment. “I’m pleased to say that First Milk has delivered healthy performance in the last year and I’m confident we are well placed for the future,” Hancock stated. “Ultimately, our vision for the future is clear – we are working to enrich life every day to secure the future for our members, colleagues, customers, and communities.”

The report underscores First Milk’s resilience and strategic foresight, as it continues to invest in its members and operations, laying the groundwork for sustained growth and success in the years to come.

Business

In The Welsh Wind gin in running for world title

Published

6 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION distillery is celebrating after one of its gins was named among the best in the world.

In The Welsh Wind Distillery, based near Cardigan, has won gold and the Wales country title at the World Gin Awards 2026 for its Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin.

The matured gin has now been shortlisted for World’s Best Matured Gin, placing it in the top five internationally.

The overall winner will be announced at the World Gin Awards Gala Dinner in London on June 2.

The gin, priced at £45, is bottled at 43% ABV and is made by resting the distillery’s Signature Style Gin in Palo Cortado sherry barrels.

The result is described as a layered spirit with notes of almonds, dried stone fruit and wood spice, alongside the warmth of the gin’s botanical profile.

Palo Cortado is one of the rarest styles of sherry, produced in the Jerez region of southern Spain. It sits between Amontillado and Oloroso, combining nutty, oxidative character with a more elegant structure.

Ellen Wakelam, co-founder of In The Welsh Wind, said: “Palo Cortado is not a cask you choose lightly. It’s one of the rarest styles of sherry in the world and it does something quite specific to our Signature Style.

“It pulls out a depth and warmth that the gin already has in it and frames it in a way you wouldn’t expect. We’ve been incredibly proud of this gin since the first batch and to have that recognised at this level, and to be shortlisted for World’s Best, is something we’re genuinely thrilled about.”

The gin has previously won Best Welsh Matured at the World Gin Awards 2022 and received the Master award from The Spirits Business Gin Masters in 2021.

In The Welsh Wind is an independent craft distillery founded by Ellen Wakelam. It produces single malt whisky, blended Welsh malt whisky, gin and vodka, with a focus on Welsh provenance and cask maturation.

Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin: The Ceredigion-made gin is in the running to be named the world’s best matured gin.

Business

Resubmitted application to convert Haverfordwest Halifax for new use

Published

14 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A FRESH call to convert a Pembrokeshire town centre former bank to a nail bar which was previously refused by county planners has been submitted.

In a scheme refused back in March, Huw Tuyen Nguyen, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of the former Halifax bank at Grade-II-listed 10 Victoria Place, in Haverfordwest’s conservation area, to a nail bar, along with a related listed building consent.

Halifax closed its Haverfordwest branch back in 2024, leaving it with no more branches in the county.

A supporting statement accompanying the nail bar application at the three-storey building said: “This application seeks to put the ground floor to an alternative commercial/retail use and which together with some internal and external alterations, also seeks to convert the upper two floors into a single high-quality flat.”

It went on to say of the change of use to a nail bar: “This part of the application would allow the relocation and expansion of a professional service facility to serve Haverfordwest and the surrounding areas. This forms the basis of aspirations to grow the business, both in the immediate short term, and in the future as the business continues to grow.

“The applicant has explained that the current business is a nail salon which has been trading for some 15 years but under a different management. The applicant has had the business since January 2022.”

The application was refused on grounds including the design “fails to respect the historic character of the listed building and the wider terrace,” and “the proposal fails to satisfy the statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Haverfordwest Conservation Area”.

Since then, a resubmitted application, again through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd has been lodged with planners, with the flat element removed.

It includes a new shopfront design which would be “more traditional in design”.

A supporting statement says: “In our view, this revised proposal is considered to represent not only a significant improvement over the previously refused applications, but which should also result in an overall better, quality shopfront than the existing and be a welcome enhancement to this town centre location. As such, the proposal should be welcomed by the council.”

It adds: “For the avoidance of any doubt, these revised applications do involve any change to the use of the upper floors, such as for possible future use as flats. The future use of the upper floors is still under consideration by the applicant.”

The resubmitted application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Business

Mayor opens new Sapphire showroom in Milford Haven

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New Charles Street base brings windows and doors firm closer to Pembrokeshire customers

THE MAYOR OF MILFORD HAVEN has officially opened a new showroom for Sapphire Windows & Doors in the town centre.

The company welcomed visitors to its new base at 61 Charles Street on Monday (May 18), with Mayor Mark Woodward attending the opening.

Sapphire Windows & Doors, established in 1989, supplies and installs windows, doors and glazing products across South and West Wales.

The new Milford Haven showroom has been opened following growing demand from customers in Pembrokeshire, many of whom had previously travelled to the company’s Ammanford showroom.

The Charles Street premises will allow customers to view products in person, compare colours and finishes, try different styles, and speak directly with the Sapphire team.

Products on display include uPVC windows, composite and aluminium entrance doors, aluminium sliding and bifold systems, and internal and external Crittall-style aluminium and steel doors.

Shaun Matthews, Director of Sapphire Windows & Doors said: “We are incredibly excited to open our new Milford Haven showroom and welcome both returning and new customers through the doors.

“We have already received such a lovely welcome on Charles Street, and we are looking forward to becoming part of the local community.

“When people are investing in new windows and doors, it is important they feel confident in what they are choosing. The showroom gives customers the opportunity to properly see the products, explore the options available, try them for themselves and receive clear, honest advice from our team.”

The company manufactures its own uPVC products in-house at its factory in Ammanford, while installations are carried out by directly employed fitting teams.

Sapphire says it offers free, no-obligation quotes and takes a no-pressure approach to sales.

Every installation is backed by a ten-year guarantee and a FENSA insurance-backed warranty.