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Western Telegraph threatens Herald over advertising standards

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thomas

Herald boss: Thomas Sinclair at WHSmith in Cardigan

THE NEWLY appointed publisher of The Western Telegraph has challenged its new rival newspaper, The Pembrokeshire Herald, to provide evidence on print figures or face being reported to the authorities.

In a letter to Herald acting editor Thomas Sinclair, The Telegraph’s confident new boss, Dean Merrick, described how he believed that claims The Herald has been making over the number of copies being printed per week were ‘untrue’.

In the letter Mr. Merrick said: “It has come to my attention on your marketing pack that is accessible on your website that you claim that you print 20,000 copies weekly of The Pembrokeshire Herald. We believe your claim to be false.”

He added: “I hereby provide you with seven days notice from August 29 to respond to confirm your print figures. If you fail to respond within the 7 day period my complaint will be passed onto the Advertising Standards Authority who will investigate the matter further.”

County Show 2014: 17000 readers is the clear message.

County Show 2014: 17000 readers

Thomas Sinclair hit back saying: “Our old pre-launch media pack claims a print run of 20k, but we have a new revised version. The number of copies printed each week, however, is immaterial for newspaper advertisers. It goes without saying that what businesses need to know is how many readers a publication has – or the circulation.”

Mr Sinclair said: “Something has clearly rattled The Western Telegraph. The latest JICREG data, updated on April 1, 2014 shows that the WT’s circulation is at an all-time low of 15,753 copies.”

The Herald boss added: “We clearly and repeatedly explain to our customers that we have 17,000 weekly readers. This has been printed on the front page of The Herald several times. It is in all our marketing material. It is what our sales staff consistently tell customers. It was even on the huge banners on top of our two storey stand at the County Show this year.”

Clear message: 17000 readers on banners at Milford Carnival this year.

Clear message: 17000 readers on banners at Milford Carnival this year.

Mr Sinclair added: “The media pack, which is being referred to, is the one which was designed before the Herald was launched. As reported on the BBC we did launch the paper with a 20,000 print run at launch, but cut this fairly soon after starting. The new and improved media pack which we have been circulating since then quotes a print run of 10,000 copies per week. We do print more than this but we have kept the number to the lowest we print. Contrary to what The Western Telegraph’s publisher has claimed, the old media pack is not accessible via the Pembrokeshire Herald homepage.”

Mr. Sinclair concluded: “Print figures aside, there is one thing which is clear. The Pembrokeshire Herald readership is on the way up, and the Western Telegraph’s is quite obviously on the way down.”

“With what the JICREG data has revealed this year, combined with what our stockists are telling us, I would not be surprised if we have eclipsed the Western Telegraph in reader numbers already.”

 

14 Comments

14 Comments

  1. s james

    August 31, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    I’d rather read the herald than the telegraph. The price had gone up on it but news coverage had gone down. It’s all adverts and once you remove them your left with hardly any pages… go herald.

  2. Gez George

    August 31, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    I wont be buying the Telegraph again. Seems to be run by vindictive, envious petty minded bigots. The Pembrokeshire Herald is the only newspaper worth reading. Perhaps if the Telegraph concentrated more on putting readable information in their paper and concentrated less on school playground bully antics they may find people buying their paper. Heres on less customer anyway !!

  3. Peter Warrennder

    August 31, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    The Herald is a great local paper, the Western Telegraph is American owned rubbish. I never buy the WT anymore, it has poor news coverage and is not value for money. Keep up the good work the Herald and your readership will grow and grow.

  4. Claire

    August 31, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    The Western Telegraph have had a massive presence in the county for as long as I remember. Sadly though it has not done its best to cover the issues that are relevant to the people of Pembrokeshire. The Mercury is finally doing a good job of showing what is actually happening in our county both in and outside the county hall offices. It is somewhat shaken by competition it seems. Maybe if they focussed on writing the news instead of threatening letters, people would read it again!

  5. Chris

    August 31, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    When the Mercury under the Stoddart family ownership started to grow and their print runs were increasing regularly, The Western Telegraphs owners bought it out!! They felt extremely threatened. If the Heralds print run keep increasing at this rate – Mr Sinclair The Western Telegraph may be making you a big offer – you could be a millionaire. They do not like to be beaten. I have to say, the Herald is a far better read, keep it up

  6. Welshman23

    September 1, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Well done Herald the new editor should concentrate on yhe news that everyone wants to read. Herald you have rattled the cages of PCC and now it\’s the PCC supported Old Telegraph.

  7. Maud Amy

    September 1, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Trouble is the WT stopped reporting anything negative about PCC and any of its councillors and this is what put people off buying it.

  8. Maud Amy

    September 1, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    People doing wrong on these official bodies should be named and shamed otherwise they just carry on doing what they have always done with no consequences ‘Concerned Pembs’

  9. wendy king

    September 1, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    As a small business in pembrokeshire I advertise in the herald and the telegraph, However after receiving a phone call from the sales team at the TELEGRAPH asking me to place an ad, I declined, to the response from the member of staff at the TELEGRAPH to “well you advertised with the HERALD last week! why not us! they dont even print or sell copies!” My response was that the HERALD had placed an ad for FREE for me paying off my monthly account each month, looking after a customer 🙂 TELEGRAPHs response was more fool them giving out FREE ads! I was not happy with this conversation. I am not surprised to see this pathetic bickering from the TELEGRAPH, they are tired, dated and I WILL NOT BE ADVERTISING WITH THEM AGAIN!

  10. Burt

    September 1, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    What can i say the WT have been ripping off small business in pembs for years to the point i couldn’t afford to put my business out there anymore, thank god for the Herald as i9 can now advertise without breaking the bank and everyone i know has given up buying the Wt and will only get the Herald from now on!! keep up the fantastic paper!!

  11. Tenby Skipper

    September 1, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    The Western Telegraph still doesn’t get it. People want some backbone in their reporting, not soft pedalled puff pieces and press releases, and now there is an alternative which offers what people want. The Herald has done more hard reporting and proper journalism in a year than the WT has in a decade. If the Herald’s sales figures haven’t already overtaken the WT, it’s surely only a matter of time.

  12. Teifion

    September 2, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    The WT has behaved like the PCC in house magazine over the years – the relationship between the meedja was once described as the relationship between a dog and a lampost – sadly the WT was the lamp-post and has been partly to blame for the shenanigins at the PCC

  13. Mister H

    September 7, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    A friend of mine once said, if he wanted to buy a car or a house then he would buy the WT. Sooooooo true!!!

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Community

Doorstep warning issued after reports of suspicious callers in Pembrokeshire

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Residents in Haverfordwest and St Davids urged to watch out for vulnerable neighbours after social media alerts

A WARNING has been issued to residents in parts of Pembrokeshire after separate social media reports of suspicious doorstep callers in both Haverfordwest and St Davids.

In Haverfordwest one resident said a man called at his home at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (Apr 14), claiming he was an ex-convict from South Shields selling cheap household goods in an effort to get his life back on track.

The Merlins Bridge resident said the man claimed there was a wider team operating in the area in a similar way. He reported that the caller then knocked at several more homes along Venns Close before heading towards Greenhill Drive and the roundabout.

The man was described as wearing black waterproof trousers and a royal blue waterproof coat, with dark medium-length hair and no hat. He was also said to be carrying a large holdall, possibly containing items for sale.

In a separate post circulating online, residents in St Davids were also warned to be cautious after reports of men wearing backpacks and baseball caps going door-to-door.

The post claimed police had been in the area several times during the day looking for the individuals. Residents were urged to keep doors locked and to contact police if they saw anything suspicious.

While none of the claims have been independently verified by The Herald, the reports have prompted calls for people to remain vigilant, secure doors, gates and vehicles, and check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

Residents suggested the activity may be linked to so-called “Nottingham Knockers”, a term often used to describe cold callers selling goods door-to-door, sometimes amid concerns that vulnerable households may be targeted.

He said he had reported the Haverfordwest incident to Dyfed-Powys Police via the force’s website. The reference number given was CDS-76190-26-6300-002.

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is advised to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.

 

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Crime

Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed

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Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service

A TAKEAWAY in Cardigan has lost its premises licence after repeated enforcement visits uncovered illegal working and serious fire safety failings.

Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Romino’s Pizza and Kebab following a hearing held on Monday, April 7.

The review was brought by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and supported by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police.

During four separate visits to the business, officers found a total of eight people said to be working illegally at the premises.

Fire safety inspectors also identified a number of serious breaches, leading to prohibition notices being issued because of the risks posed to staff, customers and the wider public.

The committee concluded that revoking the licence was proportionate and necessary in order to uphold the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety.

As a result of the decision, the business will now be required to close at 11:00pm unless an appeal is lodged.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We welcome the Licensing Sub Committee’s decision to revoke the Premises Licence for Romino’s in Cardigan. This reflects the seriousness of the issues identified and the clear risks posed.”

The action follows earlier enforcement steps taken in March.

On March 5, immigration officers visited the premises and found two Turkish men allegedly working there illegally. A closure notice was issued at once, preventing access to the site and stopping any work from taking place.

The Home Office said that on three previous visits, a further six people had been found working illegally at the same business. Those responsible were handed fines totalling £135,000.

An illegal working compliance order was later granted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 6. Such orders place strict conditions on a business, including requirements to carry out right-to-work checks and permit ongoing inspections.

Although the takeaway later reopened, the Home Office pressed ahead with its application for a licence review on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.

A spokesperson said illegal working harms lawful businesses, drives down wages and can be linked to organised immigration crime.

 

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Business

Sauna Uno brings coastal wellness experience to West Wales

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Bespoke mobile sauna offers sea views, cold-water immersion and private group bookings along the Pembrokeshire coast

A UNIQUE mobile sauna experience is bringing a fresh take on relaxation and wellbeing to the West Wales coast, combining traditional heat therapy with sea air, cold-water immersion and some of the region’s most dramatic views.

Sauna Uno is a custom-built mobile sauna designed to offer guests the benefits of a Nordic-style sauna experience in a striking coastal setting. Operating from selected locations in West Wales, it allows visitors to step from the warmth of a wood-fired sauna into the open air, with the option of a cold plunge or sea swim as part of the ritual.

Set against the backdrop of beaches, cliffs and Atlantic skies, the experience is built around contrast — intense heat followed by cold water, shared conversation followed by quiet reflection, and the comfort of the sauna against the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Designed for comfort

Inside, Sauna Uno has been carefully designed to create a welcoming and practical space for both individuals and groups. The sauna includes a spacious seating area, large viewing windows, heated changing facilities, and a selection of herbal teas, cold water and natural essential oils to enhance the experience.

The aim is to combine the health benefits of sauna use with the calming effect of the coastal environment, creating something that feels both restorative and memorable.

Its owners say the concept is about more than simply getting warm.

Sauna Uno is intended to offer people the chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm in a busy world — whether that is after a sea swim, as part of a wellness session, or simply as a social experience with friends.

Popular for groups and private hire

The mobile sauna has proved especially popular for group bookings, with enough space for friends, families and small parties to enjoy the experience together.

Bookings are regularly made for birthdays, private gatherings, group wellness sessions and retreat-style coastal days out. The setting, combined with the shared nature of the sauna experience, has made it an increasingly attractive alternative to more traditional celebrations.

To encourage group celebrations, Sauna Uno is currently offering a ten per cent discount on birthday group bookings.

That offer is expected to appeal to those looking for something a little different — an occasion centred on wellbeing, the outdoors and spending quality time together rather than the usual restaurant or nightlife options.

A growing wellness trend

Sauna culture has grown in popularity across the UK in recent years, with more people turning to heat therapy, cold-water immersion and outdoor wellness experiences as a way to support both physical and mental health.

Regular sauna use is commonly linked to improved circulation, muscle recovery, reduced tension and stress relief. Many enthusiasts also say the combination of heat and cold helps improve mental clarity, resilience and overall wellbeing.

At coastal sites, that effect can be heightened by the surrounding landscape, fresh air and sea views, turning a sauna session into a more immersive experience.

Visitors to Sauna Uno have praised the quality of the heat, the design of the sauna and the peaceful atmosphere created by the coastal locations. Sunset sessions and winter bookings have proved particularly popular, with many describing the combination of hot sauna and cold sea air as both invigorating and deeply calming.

Making the most of the coast

By operating as a mobile unit, Sauna Uno is able to make use of carefully chosen coastal spots across West Wales, bringing the experience closer to the sea and giving guests access to some of the area’s most scenic locations.

For many, that sense of place is what sets it apart.

Rather than being tucked away indoors, Sauna Uno makes the natural environment part of the experience itself — offering a way to enjoy the coast in all seasons, whether under clear skies, in the golden light of sunset, or with wild weather rolling in off the Atlantic.

With interest continuing to grow and weekend sessions often booked in advance, organisers are encouraging people to plan ahead for private hire, birthday bookings and group visits.

For bookings and enquiries, their Facebook page can also be found by searching Sauna Uno.

 

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