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PRIVACY
Economic Development

The stories of Welsh firms who have survived, adapted and pivoted in the year since lockdown

While challenges remain they are looking forward to the future with confidence

Shop closed due to COVID

It's a year since the first Covid lockdown with its impact inducing the biggest fall in economic output ever experienced by the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ economy.

Many firms were effectively mothballed, but those that could trade had to adapt, and quickly.

Here feature firms from across Wales who not only survived the unprecedented economic turbulence of the last 12 months, but are looking forward with confidence.



Peter’s Food Service


Managing director of Peter's Food Service Mike Grimwood. Image by Huw John.(Image: HUW JOHN)


The Bedwas-based food manufacturer, whose products include the iconic Peter’s Pie, suffered a 60% plus drop in sales when lockdown hit with many of its customers forced to close their outlets.

Managing director Mike Grimwood said: “That in turn meant we have to reduce the volumes and of course that had a knock-on effect on the number of people needed to manufacture our produce.

"We had to furlough up to 90 people at a time, and staff absences reached levels of 19% at one point. That puts a workforce under huge pressure, but our colleagues were adaptable to the challenges– it’s a cliché but we really did see a ‘Blitz spirit’.

“It has been an extremely challenging 12 months financially and operationally, but we have fought back, and we are now at a place where we can see a long term sustainable future for the business.”