Has local MP bitten off more than he can chew with visit to Domino’s?

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2024

Local MP Henry Tufnell may have bitten off more than he can chew after posting pictures of himself serving pizza at the Haverfordwest branch of Domino’s.

The Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire donned the Domino’s baseball cap and apron to dish out the pepperonis in a bid to see how local businesses are thriving.

But what Tufnell may have overlooked is the fact that in November 2024, Domino’s had a market cap of a whopping $15.65 billion USD, which makes it the world’s 1,195th most valuable company by market capitalization.

It trades from over 1,300 outlets in the UK and over 20,500 worldwide.

“I had a fantastic visit to Domino’s in Haverfordwest last week!” the MP enthused in his social media post.

“A big thank you to [the Domino’s staff] for taking the time to show me around and share the incredible work they do.

“It’s inspiring to see local businesses thriving and providing great service to our community’.”

The local community however, believes that Tufnell’s actions may have turned a blind eye to independent businesses – including farmers – who are desperately struggling to keep their heads above water.

“This strikes me as tone deaf,” commented Andy Richardson. “Henry Tufnell has a huge constituency of farmers who are worried sick about the inheritance tax changes which he, as a member of a landowning family, should understand. He also has small, independent, local, non-franchised businesses which are already under the cosh and are now being hit by the Employers’ NIC increases.”

And Donna Humphrey called on the MP to cast his eye across other social sectors instead of multi-international bigwigs like Domino’s.

“If visiting a franchise is a priority for you, rather than local charities, independent businesses, hospitals, education and farming , that says it all,” she said.

“There are so many other pressing issues such as homelessness, food banks, mental health services, accessing GPS, community care, impact of the budget on charities…but sadly you choose pizza.”

Henry Tufnell’s post has also raised the hackles of local, independently-owned pizzeria owners, including world champion chef Giovanni Recchia who runs Gio Recchia Pizzeria in Pembroke with his business partner, Denise Phillips.

“He should have supported all those local businesses which are operating from their communities here in Pembrokeshire,” Denise told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“So many people are trying their hardest to keep their heads above water. Surely it’s these that should be shown the support and recognition from their MP?

“We are doing everything we can to support our community, and all our staff are local. If Henry Tufnell had chosen to walk through our door, we would have been more than happy to welcome him.”

Giovanni Recchia is recognised as one of the world’s finest pizza chefs after clinching the World Champion Chef title in the championships Rimini, Italy, in 2023.

Domino’s Pizza Group plc said: “We are the UK’s leading pizza brand.”

“The Domino’s business is built on the entrepreneurial drive and operational expertise of our franchise partners.

“We choose our franchise partners carefully for their commitment and entrepreneurial approach.

“Franchise partners sign a Standard Franchise Agreement (SFA) for each store. We work closely with them to choose the right locations. We then enter into the head leases, which we sub-let to the franchisee.

“We charge our franchise partners a royalty fee of their sales, some of which we pass on to Domino’s Pizza International Franchising Inc. as a royalty cost.

“We invest in our digital customer facing platforms, which makes ordering easier, drives higher loyalty, frequency of purchase and increased order values.”

Henry Tufnell MP commented on Monday evening.

He said: “Domino’s locally is owned by a franchisee who owns a store in Haverfordwest, Neyland and Tenby.

“Domino’s owns a franchise model where individual franchisees own Domino’s stores under the large Domino’s Pizza Brand.

“This empowers entrepreneurs to manage their own business.

“The owner of these franchises employs local people in all year round employment and any business that supports workers and helps with high street decline is a positive step in the right direction.”

Community

Firefighter experience days planned in Haverfordwest and Newtown

Published

13 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

News

Plaid tells Carmarthenshire voters: ‘Only we can stop Reform’

Published

44 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).

Charity

Paul Sartori receives generous support from the James Tudor Foundation

Published

57 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home is celebrating a major support package from The James Tudor Foundation thanks to an unrestricted grant to help fund the charity’s vital end-of-life care services throughout the county.

The £46,364 grant award ill be paid over three years.

Commenting on the windfall, the new Chief Executive Officer, Laura Hugman, said, “At a time where funding and funding partnerships are challenging, we’re very grateful to The James Tudor Foundation in helping us achieve our aims and passion for supporting and bringing reassurance to the local families who need us.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides an holistic approach to end-of-life care, which encompasses home nursing, equipment loan, complementary therapies, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning, and training. The team provides thousands of hours of day and night respite care each year, ensuring that patients can receive the support they need, complementing the statutory provision within the comfort of their own homes.

Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, expressed the charity’s gratitude: “We’re incredibly thankful to The James Tudor Foundation for their continued generosity. Their support helps us maintain our nursing service, which is a lifeline for many families facing end-of-life care challenges.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home offers a comprehensive range of services to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring they can be cared for at home with dignity, independence, and comfort.