Marc Tierney, the locally based Assembly Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has visited Friday Ad in Pembroke Dock as a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of 60 jobs and the call centre at the Cleddau Bridge.

During his meeting, Labour’s Marc Tierney took the opportunity to find out more about trading conditions and the difficulties the parent company faces in an ever digitalised and increasingly automated business.

Marc Tierney said: “I felt it was important to meet with local management to understand how the current position has been reached. There is no doubt that as the market for print advertising has reduced, the impact on jobs has been high. Over the years roles haven’t been replaced and as employees are coming to terms with the worst case scenario, the current situation is tough for all concerned. Friday Ad pulled out of distributing a Pembrokeshire edition a while back, but the sales team and staff continue to service publications and websites elsewhere in the UK.

“The former ITV digital call centre, which Friday Ad took over in 2002, has become too large for the current staff base. It is fully equipped as a call centre and there is plenty of capacity should we be able to attract new business to the area.”

Following his meeting, Marc Tierney has written to Welsh Government Minister for Economy and Transport, Edwina Hart, calling on her to look at all options in providing support to the company and individuals at this unsettling time.

Marc continued: “The sales and support staff at Friday Ad in Pembroke Dock are all highly experienced and skilled in their roles. There is no question over their ability to perform and some may choose to relocate as a result should the package be right. My main concern is that we don’t lose opportunities from south west Wales to the south east of England. We need an economy that is working for all parts of the UK and for me that means doing everything I can to get support for jobs in our communities.

“I have invited Economy Minister Edwina Hart to Pembrokeshire to meet with staff, I have outlined how important these well paid jobs are to the local economy which remains in a fragile state since the loss of Murco. Business Wales, the Milford Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone and the Swansea Bay City Region must work together to ensure every effort is made to attract new business to the area building on the skills and experience already available at Friday Ad.”