Celtic chocoholics delight at tourism prize

Welsh chocolate company named most exciting new tourism business

A family-run start-up based in Haverfordwest has won the title of ‘Most Exciting New Business’ at the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards.

The award tops off a successful start-up period for the independent chocolate business, following the launch of strategic partnerships with Oakwood Theme Park and Scarlets rugby club, as well as the ‘Best New Business’ award at the Radio Pembrokeshire Business Awards.

A new family-run chocolate manufacturer, WickedlyWelsh.co.uk, is celebrating Chocolate Week after winning the ‘Most Exciting New Business’ award at the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards. This follows the company’s successful launch period, which saw the 20,000 customer mark surpassed.

The Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards, which took place on Thursday 9th October, were designed to recognise and celebrate the businesses across the flourishing Pembrokeshire region which go the extra mile to deliver a high quality product to the local Tourism economy. Wickedly Welsh was nominated in the category alongside activity providers, Dragon Activity, as well as Caffle Brewery.

Pembrokeshire has a thriving tourism industry, with the Tourism Awards designed to recognise and celebrate this. After receiving a record number of entries, the awards were held at the Wolfcastle Country Hotel. The ‘Most Exciting New Business’ award was sponsored by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The award win comes as Wickedly Welsh celebrates its first National Chocolate Week since launching earlier this year in April. The Whitybush factory will be holding free chocolate demonstrations daily throughout the week, whilst also offering ‘Make Your Own Chocolate Kits’ for sale at the factory shop.

Mark Owen, self-confessed Chocoholic and Chief Taster at Wickedly Welsh, commented: "2014 has really been a dream for us. My wife, Karen, and I took a big gamble by leaving our 9-5 jobs to set up Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company. Our launch period was a real success and we’ve not looked back since!"

"To win the ‘Most Exciting New Business’ award at the Pembrokeshire Tourism awards is a real honour for our business. We’ve all worked incredibly hard to establish ourselves as an exciting place for family and chocoholics to visit all year round. We hope to continue to develop our business and products to ensure that our visitors love what we do, and want to come back."

Valere Tjolle

Great sustainable offers this week: 93% off reports and guides here  Keys to sustainably successful destinations revealed here  Going to WTM, want to attract high value green tourists? here