Asian-inspired takeaway launches on Quay Street offering fresh rice and noodle boxes

A NEW takeaway offering Asian-inspired noodle and rice dishes has opened in Haverfordwest town centre today (Monday, Mar 9).

Stix Noodle Bar has opened its doors at 1a Quay Street, promising fast, fresh meals packed with flavour for customers looking for something different in the town’s growing food scene.

The new business specialises in takeaway boxes filled with rice or noodles, topped with chicken and other ingredients, alongside a range of sauces and sides. The concept focuses on quick, freshly prepared meals designed to be both convenient and full of flavour.

Owner Shaun said he hopes the new venture will become a popular choice for people in Haverfordwest looking for a quick and satisfying meal.

“We’re really excited to be opening in Haverfordwest,” he said. “Stix is all about fresh ingredients, bold flavours and giving people something a little different to enjoy.

“We believe it’s going to be a great addition to the town and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers through the door.”

The takeaway officially opened at 12:00pm on Monday, with the team inviting local residents to stop by and try the menu.

Stix Noodle Bar says it aims to support the local community while bringing a new style of fast-casual dining to the area.

The business is located at 1a Quay Street, Haverfordwest, and customers can visit from midday today as the new venture begins trading.

A PEMBROKESHIRE private chef has launched a new farm-to-table dining initiative aimed at supporting local food producers while offering residents a chance to experience bespoke restaurant-quality meals in their own homes.

Joshua Vaughan, founder of Chef4Life Ltd, has announced the release of just one hundred exclusive dining vouchers as part of the initiative, which focuses on promoting locally sourced ingredients from farmers, butchers, and suppliers across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Each voucher costs £35 per person and can be redeemed against selected Chef4Life private dining events during 2026.

Vaughan, who has more than seventeen years of experience in professional kitchens, said the project is designed to celebrate high-quality local produce while bringing fine dining directly to people’s homes.

The chef trained in Michelin-level kitchens and multi-rosette establishments before launching Chef4Life, a private dining service that specialises in tailored culinary experiences for small gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions.

Rather than offering a fixed menu, Chef4Life events are designed individually for each client. Menus are created around the tastes and dietary requirements of the guests, with dishes built around seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers wherever possible.

The farm-to-table initiative aims to strengthen links between chefs and regional suppliers while encouraging diners to support the area’s food economy.

Vaughan said the limited voucher release also gives new customers an opportunity to experience the service for the first time.

He explained that each event is designed to recreate a restaurant-level dining experience in private settings, whether for an intimate dinner party, family celebration, or luxury home dining event.

Only one hundred vouchers have been released, and once they are sold the offer will not be repeated.

Residents interested in securing a voucher can contact Chef4Life directly via WhatsApp on 07367 753776 or visit www.chef4life.uk for further information.

Cost of posting letters has more than doubled in six years as service continues to miss targets

THE PRICE of a first-class stamp will rise to £1.80 from next month, as Royal Mail pushes ahead with another increase despite ongoing criticism of the postal service’s reliability.

From April 7, the cost of sending a first-class letter will increase by 10p, while the price of a second-class stamp will rise by 4p to 91p.

The latest rise means the cost of a first-class stamp has more than doubled in six years, increasing by 137% since 2020, following eight separate price hikes.

Second-class stamps have also risen sharply, with six increases during the same period.

Delivery targets repeatedly missed

The announcement comes as Royal Mail continues to face criticism for failing to meet its delivery performance targets.

Consumer group Citizens Advice said the price rise was difficult to justify while service standards remain poor.

Anne Pardoe, head of policy at Citizens Advice said: “More than half a decade has gone by since Royal Mail last met its delivery targets. For many people, sending important letters has become a gamble.

“People can’t be certain if essential documents, including medical appointments, will arrive on time.”

She warned that proposed changes to delivery schedules could worsen the situation.

“Higher prices must come with higher standards,” she said. “Ofcom should not simply approve these increases while service levels continue to fall.”

MPs raise concerns over postal delays

Royal Mail has also been summoned to appear before MPs after complaints about postal delays and reports that letters are sometimes delivered in batches rather than daily.

The last time the company met its annual first-class delivery target was in 2019–20.

Royal Mail cites rising costs

Royal Mail says the increases are necessary due to falling letter volumes and rising delivery costs.

Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail said: “We carefully consider price changes to balance affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.

“People are sending far fewer letters than they used to — around 70% fewer than twenty years ago — while the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million, bringing the total to 32 million across the UK.”

He added that the average UK adult now spends around £6.50 a year on stamps.

Changes to second-class service

Royal Mail is also pressing ahead with wider reforms to the postal service.

Last year, regulator Ofcom approved plans allowing the company to remove Saturday deliveries for second-class letters, replacing them with deliveries every other weekday.

The changes are currently being tested in 35 delivery offices across the UK.

Talks between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) about how the reforms should be rolled out ended without agreement earlier this week, though negotiations have been extended.

Royal Mail says changes to the universal service are needed to ensure the long-term future of the postal system.

Despite the price rises, the company argues that UK stamp prices remain below the European average, which it says is around £1.93 for first class and £1.56 for second class.