A food smokery beloved by celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay has become entangled in a dispute with a neighboring zoo, with the zoo claiming that visitors are being left choking on the smokery's fumes. Located on the island of Anglesey in Wales, Halen Môn smokery has been accused by the Anglesey Sea Zoo of 'choking' its visitors, who staff say are left 'gagging and with tears in their eyes'.

The smokery, known for its high-quality natural salt infused in specialist ovens, sits adjacent to the marine wildlife zoo. Zoo owner Frankie Hobro, 50, has publicly called for smokery staff to keep doors and windows closed to prevent wind from blowing smoke towards the zoo. However, a year-long council study concluded that the smokery's emissions are safe and 'comfortably exceed Wales' quality air standards'.

The Smoke Controversy

The dispute has intensified with staff at the zoo alleging that the smoke has a 'horrible' smell and the grey clouds of steam have caused discomfort to staff and visitors. A video shared on the zoo's Facebook page showed clouds of grey smoke emanating from the smokery alongside the coastal path. The zoo's owner, Frankie Hobro, expressed her frustration, stating, 'It seeps through every gap and crevice. The smoke smells absolutely horrible and leaves people gagging and with tears in their eyes. It's been an almost daily occurrence since Halen Môn built its smokery next door four years ago. We constantly have to apologize to all our visitors.'

A History of Collaboration

Adding another layer to this controversy is the history between the two businesses. Alison Lea-Wilson, co-founder of Halen Môn, originally established Anglesey Sea Zoo in 1984 with her husband David and a mutual friend. However, the zoo changed hands in 2007, with Frankie Hobro taking over and shifting the zoo's focus towards indigenous British marine life. Despite this change in ownership, Halen Môn's sea salt company has continued to be successful, supplying royal weddings, the London 2012 Olympics, and top-tier restaurants like Gordon Ramsay's and Heston Blumenthal's. This success led to the establishment of the smokery in 2008, which expanded its operations in 2021 to meet high demand for smoked products.

Environmental and Planning Obligations

In response to the zoo's concerns, Anglesey Council conducted an extensive emissions study over a year. The study concluded that the smokery is meeting all its planning and environmental obligations, stating, 'Based upon the obtained particulate monitoring data and Public Protection officer site observations (conducted on various dates and times throughout the 12-month period), this local authority is satisfied that a Statutory Nuisance 'smoke emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance' is not in existence. Therefore, this Statutory Nuisance complaint has now been closed.'

Frankie Hobro, however, maintains her stance, saying, 'I accept the smokery is meeting all its planning and environmental obligations but the fact remains we have thick grey smoke billowing across our attraction when the smokery fires up. It's unacceptable. We are fed up with it and so are people living nearby. We are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we're trying to attract people with the promise of fresh air and spectacular views across to Eryri (Snowdonia). Instead, we're having to live with the threat of smoke 24/7. If this is OK, then the system is broken and it needs to be fixed.'

Ongoing Discussions and Commitment to Community

Halen Môn acknowledged the zoo's concerns and stated that they are engaged in ongoing discussions with the zoo. A representative for the company said, 'Community is at the heart of Halen Mon and everything we do is aimed at celebrating the resources and reputation of Anglesey. We value a good relationship with all our neighbours and local community, most especially Sw Mor Mon (Anglesey Sea Zoo), a business which we actually started from scratch, nourished and ran for more than 20 years. In line with this, we have had several discussions with Frankie Hobro about her concerns, most recently this week.'

They further added, 'We will always be a responsible business. We care deeply about our staff and environmental welfare across the board, as well as our local community. As part of our B CORP accreditation, we work closely with the local community, working with more than 100 local activities and groups.'

The conflict between the zoo and the smokery raises crucial questions about the balancing of commercial interests, environmental impact, and community concerns. While the council has determined that the smokery's emissions are within legal limits, the ongoing disagreement highlights the need for open communication and collaboration between businesses operating in close proximity. This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly successful businesses, especially those with strong community ties, can face challenges in navigating complex issues like environmental impact and neighborly relations.

A Tale of Two Businesses

The controversy between Halen Môn and Anglesey Sea Zoo sheds light on the intricate web of relationships that exist between businesses within a community. While Halen Môn enjoys a reputation for high-quality products, catering to discerning clients like celebrity chefs and even supplying royal weddings, Anglesey Sea Zoo focuses on preserving and showcasing local marine life. The dispute over the smokery's emissions raises questions about whether the economic success of one business can come at the cost of the well-being of another, particularly when they share a common location and a shared commitment to the community. Ultimately, this case is a reminder that even businesses with strong reputations and commitments to their communities can face unforeseen challenges in navigating the complexities of local relationships and environmental considerations.