Food firm shows “solidarity” with tourism industry in North Wales with new deal to support showcase
Harlech Foodservice, which has a base in Chester as well as its headquarters in Criccieth, has struck a new three-year deal to support a major showcase for the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales.
The fast-growing food wholesaler will continue as headline sponsor of the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, underwriting the annual event up to 2027. This year’s awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
Harlech Foodservice said the sponsorship package was its way of “showing solidarity” with a sector that has faced significant challenges during and since the Covid pandemic.
The company has bases not only in Chester and Criccieth but also in Aberbargoed, Carmarthen, and Telford. It has been the headline sponsor of the tourism awards since 2021.
Earlier this year, Harlech was named UK Food Wholesaler of the Year by Caterer magazine and was also recognised by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to work in the UK.
Founded more than 50 years ago by Colin and Gill Foskett, Harlech initially supplied hotels, pubs, holiday parks, and campsites across North West Wales. Its customer base has since expanded to include local authorities, schools, and hospitals.
Managing Director David Cattrall said: “We are delighted to announce our continued support for the North Wales Tourism Awards. It has become such an important event in the calendar for a sector that is vital to the North Wales economy and which attracts so many people to this beautiful area of the UK.
“We are fortunate to live here but we appreciate that a big part of the offer that the tourism sector has right across North Wales is the high-quality food and drink that the region provides for its visitors.
“That’s why it is so important to us that as much of what we supply as possible should come from this area because the food people eat on holiday is a big part of the reason they come to North Wales.
“North Wales is a world-class tourism destination which is innovative and varied and we’re proud to support those businesses by committing ourselves to backing these awards for the next three years.
“The tourism and hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic and this is our opportunity to give something back and celebrate the achievements of our core customers.”
Cattrall added that Harlech had introduced fixed, transparent pricing and upgraded its website and app to help customers compare range, price, and product information instantly.
“Our Trust Our Prices campaign, which is aimed at the smaller, independent customer, has proved incredibly popular.
“We review our prices weekly against some of the biggest wholesalers in the UK, rejecting the common practice of increasing ‘negotiated’ prices without notice.
“Our customers can save 14 per cent as part of the Harlech 50 price comparison initiative that benchmarks prices of top-selling products against goods from industry giant Booker.
“On top of that, our My Harlech loyalty app rewards customers with a rebate of up to 10 per cent on what they spend with Harlech Foodservice each year.”
Go North Wales Director Jim Jones welcomed the renewal of Harlech’s partnership: “We’re delighted that Harlech are committing to continue to support the tourism awards for the next three years.
“We have had a long and fruitful partnership with them and they have played such a key part in the region’s tourism for so many years.
“We are very proud of our industry and the award event really showcases the very best of North Wales and the amazing businesses which make it a truly world-class destination for visitors.”
Harlech has expanded steadily over the years, opening new sites in Merthyr Tydfil and Carmarthen since 2024, acquiring rival Celtic Foodservices, and opening a fifth hub near Telford in Shropshire.
Under David Cattrall’s leadership, the company has embarked on a £6 million plan to create 150 new jobs, driven by sales growth from £32 million to a record £50 million and profits exceeding £2 million.
Harlech now employs 275 staff and operates a fleet of over 65 vehicles delivering up to 5,000 product lines across Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands, and the North West of England.
[Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism pictured with David Cattrall, Managing Director of Harlech Foodservice, photo: by Mandy Jones]
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