A WELSHCAKE maker from Wales has joined a global movement of businesses recognised for high standards of social and environmental responsibility.

MamGu Welshcakes has announced that it has become a Certified B Corporation, also known as a B Corp.

The certification, verified by B Lab, recognises companies which meet standards covering social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

The assessment looks at a company’s operations across areas including governance, workers, community, the environment and customers. Businesses must also legally embed a commitment to purpose as well as profit.

MamGu Welshcakes now joins more than 10,700 B Corps globally, including more than 2,700 in the UK. Well-known certified businesses include The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, The Big Issue, Finisterre, Elemis and Sipsmith Gin.

The company says it is only the 13th food and drink producer in Wales to receive B Corp certification.

Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK said: “We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from startups to multinationals and across many different industries.

“Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that positive impact is possible in any sector. Welcoming MamGu Welshcakes is an exciting moment for the food and drink industry.

“B Lab UK and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased that MamGu Welshcakes is paving the way for a new way of doing things.”

Sam Swift, director of MamGu Welshcakes said: “From day one we have always strived to be a business rooted in the community and we’re over the moon to now achieve B Corp certification.

“It’s a clear and rigorous standard that holds us accountable for how we do business; from supporting our people and communities to reducing our environmental impact.”

He added: “B Corp is not just a badge and certainly not the finish line, in fact we see this moment as a new baseline for everything we do next.

“We’re already looking at ways we can be better at everything, from who we work with to the ingredients we use and where they come from.”

B Lab is a non-profit organisation which says it is working to transform the global economy to benefit people, communities and the planet.

PLANS for a micro energy storage facility ‘battery box’ scheme in a Pembrokeshire town have been given the go-ahead, despite local objections including the town council.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, AMP Clean Energy sought permission for a micro energy storage project on land between Steynton Road and Sheffield Drive, Milford Haven.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said the battery boxes import electricity from the local electricity network when demand for electricity is low or when there are high levels of renewable energy available, exporting it back during periods of high demand to help address grid reliability issues prompted by an increase of intermittent (wind and solar) generation.

AMP Clean Energy says it is developing up to 1,250-plus Battery Boxes in the UK over the next three years.

It says each box, which takes up roughly two car parking spaces, stores 800kWh of electricity, giving the potential to power 200 homes for four hours where there is a supply disruption.

The battery box schemes are part of a raft of applications in the county; AMP has gained approval for similar schemes on land between King Street and Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock and land in between Castle Quarry and Haven Court, Pembroke, on a verge at the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock, and land to the south of Withybush Road, Withybush Industrial Estate, Haverfordwest.

However, a scheme for a micro energy storage project on land at Fishguard Leisure Centre Car Park, near Ysgol Bro Gwaun was refused by the council’s planning committee late last year after concerns were raised including being in “an unsafe, unsustainable and unnecessary location,” and the “nightmare scenario” of a fire as children were leaving the school, which was disputed by AMP’s agent.

For the latest Milford Haven scheme, 34 objections from members of the public were received, raising concerns including closeness to neighbouring properties, traffic congestion and safety during the construction phase, potential fire safety risks, noise and light pollution, landscape impact and impact on property values, and claims of an active covenant on the land.

Milford Haven Town Council had initially supported the scheme but later withdrew that backing, after the chair of the town council’s planning, policy and community committee Councillor Lee Bridges met with residents “deeply concerned about this application”.

“After hearing these concerns (which have been greatly researched and extensively detailed) Milford Haven Town Council would like to officially withdraw the recommendation made on March 3.”

However, an officer report for county planners recommended approval, saying the council public protection team and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service raised no objections, adding any active covenant on the land was not deemed a material planning consideration.

WEST WALES cheesemaker Caws Cenarth is celebrating a successful first few months in Tesco stores after its artisan cheeses were launched into the retailer’s Grab and Go range.

The award-winning family business, based in Carmarthenshire, says strong customer demand has followed the launch in selected large Tesco stores across Wales.

The range includes Thelma’s Original Caerffili PGI, Perl Wen, Cenarth Brie and Perl Las, which have proved popular with shoppers looking for high-quality Welsh produce in a convenient format.

Business growth

The success has marked a significant step forward for Caws Cenarth, which has expanded its team and appointed Paul Garnish as Commercial Director to support continued growth.

He will work on strengthening retail partnerships, identifying new opportunities and building on the momentum created by the Tesco launch.

Founded in West Wales, Caws Cenarth has built a reputation for producing artisan cheeses using locally sourced milk and traditional cheesemaking techniques.

The company says the Tesco partnership reflects growing appetite among customers for premium Welsh produce that combines quality, convenience and strong local provenance.

Tesco praise

Tesco Wales buyer Nathan Edwards said: “We’re delighted to see Caws Cenarth go from strength to strength with their artisan cheeses in our Grab and Go range.

“Customers are increasingly looking for high-quality, locally sourced options, and this success is a fantastic example of how Welsh suppliers like Caws Cenarth are meeting these needs.

“Caws Cenarth’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality really stands out, and we’re proud to support their continued growth.”

‘Just the beginning’

Caws Cenarth Managing Director Carwyn Adams said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how our cheeses have been received by Tesco customers.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see more people enjoying what we do, especially as a family business rooted in West Wales.

“We’ve always believed in making cheese the right way – with care, quality ingredients and respect for tradition – and it’s exciting to be able to share that with a wider audience.

“This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum.”

The partnership forms part of Tesco’s wider commitment to supporting local suppliers and bringing regional produce to customers across the UK.