UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been told of the campaign to keep a Flintshire farm's popular fresh milk vending service open.
More than 9,000 people signed a petition calling for Flintshire Council to revisit its refusal of a lawful development certificate in respect of the self-serve machines at Mynydd Mostyn farm in Trelogan.
Einion and Elliw Jones posted this photo on Facebook with a thank you to people who have supported them. Image Facebook/Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy
Customers have queued in their droves since the 24-hour roadside machines, which offer bottled milk and milkshakes, were installed at the start of this year.
Now Rob Roberts, MP for Delyn, has raised awareness on the national stage at Prime Minister’s Questions of the dairy’s battle to keep their milk shake vending machine business open.
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Mr Roberts has given his support to the family business and has promised to do everything he can to help them stay open, including raising their case in the House of Commons during PMQ’s.
He said that the Prime Minister is a staunch supporter of small businesses and especially those like Mynydd Mostyn who are sustainable and contribute to the UK reaching its climate targets of net zero by 2050.
The vending machine at Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy
The MP visited Farmers Einion and Elliw Jones, of Mynydd Mostyn Dairy, to discuss the issues they have been having.
He said: "I am fully supportive of this business and I will be doing everything I can to help them. Any business that has done it’s best to survive and diversify over the incredibly difficult last year, should be supported and not threatened by the local authority for doing all they can to grow.
"Flintshire County Council should be encouraging businesses such as Mynydd Mostyn Dairy to grow and thrive, especially as they are sustainable and sell such brilliant local produce.
"I will also be using their milk in my office to both support this fantastic local business as well as reduce my office’s consumption of single use plastic and wider environmental footprint.”
- MORE - Carol Vorderman raises awareness of campaign to support Mostyn farm
The Joneses have been supported by politicians such as Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru MS for North Wales.
The campaign to support their business was also highlighted by TV presenter and author Carol Vorderman, who grew up in Prestatyn.
The row means the machines, which use milk provided by the Jones family’s 280-strong herd of Jersey-cross milking cows, may have to be removed if enforcement action is taken.
Flintshire Council has offered to give advise to the Joneses and pointed to the vending machine's popularity as part of the issue.
A spokesman said: “The extract of the report which has already been quoted in the press accurately summarises the council’s position on the operation which has not qualified for a certificate of lawful use or development.
“We will willingly offer the vending machine operators more advice on request. At this stage, they do not have the required permission to operate the facility.
“Bear in mind that the operation of the facility has also caused significant additional traffic at peak times, in a rural setting, without sufficient on-site car parking and safe access.”
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