It's one of Wales' best exporters but now Halen Mon has a new salt cote and visitor centre on Anglesey
It’s favoured by celebrity chefs and can be found on the shelves of Fortnum and Mason, Harvey Nichols and Harrods but now one of Wales’s most successful exporters Halen Mon (Anglesey Sea Salt) has opened a new visitor centre and production facilities.
Visitors to Anglesey can see how Halen Môn is produced first hand at the company’s new visitor centre, which has recently opened to the public and offers guided tours and tasting sessions.
The company's product was the first to gain the EU protected food name status, joining other protected names like Champagne, Parma ham and Roquefort cheese.
Funding
The centre is part of a new salt cote (a building to make salt by the sea) the company has built with the backing of a £1.25m funding package from the AONB Sustainability fund the Lottery Coastal Communities fund, Finance Wales, the Welsh Government, the Fisheries Local Action Group, the directors, as well as HSBC.
New facility
Located in the Anglesey Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty , the new facility will enable Halen Mon to increase its salt yields from the waters of the Menai Strait.
It was also the first Welsh product to gain the EU protected food name status, joining other protected names like Champagne, Parma ham and Roquefort cheese.
Owners view
David Lea-Wilson, who co-owns Anglesey Sea Salt with his wife Alison which produces Halen Môn, said: “We harvest every flake of Halen Môn by hand using an exclusive process and we secured EU protected food name status because it’s unique to Wales.
"Opening our new salt cote with the backing of Finance Wales, the Welsh Government and HSBC has enabled us to keep up with growing demand.
“Our new visitor centre showcases the unique way we make Halen Môn and also gives visitors an insight into the important role salt plays in our diets as well as our history.
"We’re planning that it will quickly become a tourist attraction on Anglesey and provide a real boost to the Island’s economy. We have had over 500 visitors in the first month with favourable reviews on Trip adviser”
Halen Mon (Anglesey Sea Salt) has diversified its product range over the years and today it includes flavoured salt, charcoal salt and smoked water. The company has also been recognised by the Government as one of the UK’s Top 50 Food Stars this year.
Finance Wales view
Finance Wales has had a fifteen-year relationship with Anglesey Sea Salt and this is its latest investment in the company.
Allan Jones, portfolio executive at Finance Wales said: “Halen Môn showcases Wales at its best and is becoming known all over the world. Finance Wales has been backing the company for over fifteen years and David and Alison’s passion, together with their experience and innovative approach has driven the business to new heights.
“They’ve built market share by expanding into new markets as well as introducing new products and the new salt cote means they can keep up with demand. The new visitor centre is the latest example of this innovative company in action.
"It has the potential to boost the local economy by attracting more tourists to Anglesey.”
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