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Business

Fast-growing food firm lands first major schools contract

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A FOOD distribution company that’s aiming to create 150 new jobs as part of a £6 million expansion has clinched its first council education authority contract in South Wales.

Harlech Foodservice, which has its headquarters near Criccieth, in Gwynedd, and also has bases in Merthyr Tydfil, Carmarthen and Chester, has landed a £700,000, 12-month agreement to supply grocery products to schools and care homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

They hope this is the first of many new deals with South Wales authorities and in North Wales they have also retained a major £1.5 million contract to supply schools and care homes in Gwynedd.

Harlech has also taken over rivals Celtic Foodservices in Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire as part of its ongoing expansion in South Wales.

Gavin Davies, South Wales Account Manager, from Gelli, near Treorchy, went to school in Rhondda Cynon Taf, at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, and joined Harlech from wholesale giants Bidfood last year.

He said: “I’m delighted that our first schools contract is right on my doorstep as we’ll be supplying my old school as well as all the schools across Rhonda Cynon Taf along with care homes and theatres.

“We’re now the primary supplier for drinks, school-compliant confectionery and snacks and a secondary supplier for other products and we’ve won the contract through being accepted onto the Welsh Procurement Services Framework which has been very important for us.

“We supply Welsh products whenever possible and major drinks suppliers include Radnor Springs while our range also include other snacking products, including cake bars and biscuits which are all school-compliant with reduced sugar.

“There is a genuine customer need for another Welsh wholesaler in South Wales and there are other public sector bodies wanting to talk to us.

“Having depots in Merthyr and Carmarthen definitely helps us . They’ve been a game changer for us.

“It’s a massive opportunity for us and it’s been a very good career move for me.”

The opening of the new Carmarthen depot this spring was spurred by Harlech’s growth over the past three years which has seen sales increase from £32 million to a record turnover of around £50 million, with profit at an all-time high of more than £2 million.

One of the major reasons for the growth was a change of strategy which has seen Harlech win a raft of public sector contracts in health and education, in addition to its core customer base in tourism and hospitality.

Over the next three to five years the £6 million expansion plan will enable the company to create 100 jobs at its headquarters site and 50 jobs elsewhere.

The firm’s Sales Director, Mark Lawton, said: “This new contract in Rhondda Cynon Taf will enable us to demonstrate the range of products we can supply and the excellent service we provide.

“We now have a real presence right across Wales and I know the Welsh public sector has a desire to using Welsh suppliers whenever commercially possible.”

Between its four sites Harlech employs 250 staff and runs a fleet of over 50 vehicles to deliver up to 5,000 product lines to cafés, restaurants, pubs and public sector customers across the whole of Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and the North West.

Business

Former Haverfordwest chapel school building could be turned into flats

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PLANS to convert the Sunday School building of Haverfordwest’s former Wesleyan Chapel, once the site of a regular place for preaching by John Wesley himself, to six flats have been lodged with Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application to council planners, which has no clear details about the applicant, listing Vitaly + Partners ltd as either the applicant or the agent, seeks the conversion of the Chapel Lane building.

Accompanying documents say Haverfordwest was a regular place of preaching for John Wesley, the founding father of Methodism, first visiting in 1763, with the first chapel built in 1772. By 1781 there were 60 members in the town, the largest congregation in the Pembrokeshire Circuit.

The chapel was rebuilt in 1818 and enlarged in 1835; the adjoining schoolroom built in 1874, with further chapel works in 1880-1.

The chapel closed in 1985 and the interior was stripped for use as an antiques showroom.

A heritage statement accompanying the application says: “The works on internal alternations of former school building started in 2014 after planning permission was approved. Then other records show that works has re-started in 2020. There are previous building inspector assessment notes available for more details. Since there has been numerous of owners and works started again in 2024.”

It adds: “The main factor to support proposed development is in fact it was approved few times in the past. The works already began, and the original layout and external elements are already altered.

“The building was abandoned and not maintained in any way. It did not look pretty and had a negative impact on the residents of the town.  The building has had its original use adopted numerous of times to suit the needs of the particular time period and serve the town accordingly.

“The maintenance work to the building has already shown how much cleaner and more beautiful the building appearance became and it has had good impact on the residents who shared their views on social media talking positively about the renovation works on the building.”

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

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Business

Halfords offering interviews to all staff affected by ATS closures in Wales

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HALFORDS extended an offer of interviews to all members of staff affected by the closure of the ATS Euromaster branches in Brecon, Pontypridd and Llanelli

This follows ATS Euromaster’s recent announcement that 86 of its service centres are set to close.

With 639 garages nationwide, including branches in these affected towns, Halfords is one of the UK’s largest employers of automotive technicians. The company services, maintains, and repairs vehicles for 1,400,000 customers annually.

The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified automotive technicians, with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) estimating 20,000 vacancies in the sector.

Halfords remains committed to creating rewarding career pathways, offering opportunities for qualified technicians looking to develop new skills—such as EV servicing—as well as young people entering the industry through apprenticeships.

In addition to supporting ATS employees, Halfords is also stepping in to help customers affected by the closures, ensuring they continue to have access to trusted and competitive automotive services.

Support for ATS customers

To assist those whose bookings are impacted by ATS branch closures, Halfords garages will prioritise MOT and other service bookings originally made with ATS wherever possible, helping customers avoid delays and ensuring their vehicles remain roadworthy.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with ATS to explore employment opportunities for affected colleagues, while also ensuring that motorists in this part of Wales continue to have access to competitive, convenient, and trusted automotive services,” said Chris Rose, Halfords. Divisional Director

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Business

Fishermen upset financial impact of Castlemartin Range closures for 2025

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COMMERCIAL fishermen and sea users have voiced their anger over the latest military range activity schedule for Castlemartin Range in 2025, which will see significant restrictions on access to coastal waters.

The schedule, released by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), confirms that military exercises will take place across June, October, and November, with extended firing times drastically limiting the ability of commercial and recreational vessels to navigate the affected sea areas.

According to Huw Baker, Chair of the Freshwater East Boatmen & Fishermen’s Association, the closures will have a devastating financial impact on local inshore fishermen who rely on these waters for their livelihoods.

Mr Baker said: “None of the fishers have been contacted about these increased range activities or the sea area closures. There has been no consultation to discuss alternative access routes that would allow us to continue earning a living. The military has effectively blocked off access during prime fishing months, leaving fishermen struggling to stay financially afloat.”

Under the new schedule, the sea areas off Castlemartin will only be accessible during limited hours—between 3:00am and 8:00am, and again between 6:00pm and 8:00pm—making it near impossible for many commercial fishers to operate efficiently.

“This decision comes at a time when the cost of living is hitting everyone hard,” Mr Baker added. “With weather and tides already limiting access, these additional restrictions from Castlemartin and Manorbier firing ranges mean we’re left with barely any opportunities to work.”

Mr Baker is calling for an urgent meeting with range management to discuss the concerns of the fishing community and explore potential compromises that would allow local businesses to continue operating.

The Herald has contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment.

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