Business
Welsh Bakery say closure of Haverfordwest branch is ‘for the time being’
RUMOURS surrounding the future of the Welsh Bakery’s Haverfordwest branch reached fever pitch this week with several prominent locals sharing their thoughts online, which in turn attracted hundreds of comments.
The news broke when Stephen Hughes shared on Facebook, expressing his sorrow over the “sad loss for Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire.” Hughes called attention to the broader crisis faced by Pembrokeshire towns, urging the Council to take action on regeneration. Despite the setback, Hughes remained hopeful, mentioning that there were indications of a possible reopening. He said: “I do think the Council now needs to look at the whole current state of towns in Pembrokeshire which are bordering on a crisis.”
On Friday afternoon (Jan 5) The Welsh Bakery posted on their official Facebook page stating: “We have made the decision to keep our Haverfordwest café and bakery closed for the time being.
“This has not been an easy decision but we hope that in the near future we can return as normal.
“For all those wanting your custard slice fix, our Milford Haven cafe and Shop is open as normal, and you know it will be worth the drive!”
REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
On social media plaforms this week, many shared their own experiences, with Stella Spencer highlighting the nationwide nature of the issue. Joanne Jamieson directed her frustration towards the Pembrokeshire County Council, urging them to address the dire state of Haverfordwest before embarking on new projects.
Peter Robinson underlined the crucial role of public support for small businesses, emphasising the connection between growing supermarket queues and the closure of local establishments.
Annemarie Davies lamented the decline of Haverfordwest, describing it as a “ghost town” with limited shopping options. Vanessa Zeitlin echoed the sentiment, calling for regeneration to breathe life back into the town. Sue Wright emphasised the need for regular local support to ensure the survival of small businesses.
As discussions unfolded, concerns were raised about Haverfordwest’s image. Joan Charlton pointed out a decline in footfall since the closure of Wilkinson, while David Morgans held the Pembrokeshire County Council accountable for a slow response to retail challenges in Haverfordwest.
Helen Cole criticized past decisions, including the placement of council offices in the town centre and the development of the retail park at Withybush. She expressed skepticism about future projects, such as the proposed Instagram-friendly bridge.
In the midst of the social media discussion, Chris Krelle shared his disappointment at receiving no reply from Haverfordwest Chamber of Commerce after addressing the town’s issues in a letter. Lesley Lewis and Christine Morrey joined the chorus of voices expressing sadness at the closure of yet another small independent business.
The closure of The Welsh Bakery in Haverfordwest has ignited a passionate dialogue on social media, reflecting the deep-rooted concerns of residents about the economic future of Pembrokeshire’s county town.
Business
Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons
PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.
CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.
Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.
The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.
We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”
The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.
Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.
During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.
For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.
Business
Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards
BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.
Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.
The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.
Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.
Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.
Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.
Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.
For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.
Business
Lidl will be first supermarket to sell milk from Pembrokeshire Creamery
LIDL has announced that it will soon become the first UK retailer to sell milk exclusively produced and bottled in Wales, thanks to a partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery.
Starting from June 1, Lidl customers in Wales will be able to purchase Welsh own-label milk products, with plans to extend this to include cream shortly thereafter.
Previously, milk produced in Wales was transported to England for bottling before being sold in Welsh stores. However, with a significant £20m investment supported by the Welsh government, Pembrokeshire Creamery has now established the only bottling facility in the country certified to supply supermarkets. This development not only reduces transportation distances, thus cutting down on food miles, but also generates 80 new jobs in the local community.
The initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to support Welsh agriculture and provide consumers with locally sourced products. Their range already includes Welsh bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb, and beef. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the retailer’s dedication to local produce: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.”
Mark McQuade, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Creamery, highlighted the efficiency of the new operation. “The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales,” he said.
This news coincides with Lidl’s announcement of a £500m investment in the British pork industry, aimed at supporting continued production amidst recent challenges such as rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which have significantly impacted the sector.
Lidl’s initiatives are set to bolster not only the local Welsh economy but also the broader agricultural sector across the UK.
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