Author: Rhys Gregory

Beacon Foods, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ingredients and ready-to-eat products, has invested £6 million in a three-year expansion programme. The investment has doubled both the size of its manufacturing and storage facilities – to 53,000 square feet – and its production capacity in preparation for major business growth. The Brecon-based company, which has 130 employees, supplies food manufacturers, food service, coffee shops, fast food chains and travel and hospitality industries. The company has greatly increased production volumes, capabilities and packaging options. New state-of-art machinery includes kettles, a char griller and spiral oven and new packaging equipment to…

Acting on behalf of landlord Threadneedle, Cooke & Arkwright, has secured the letting of 173,243 sq ft to Owens Group, on a long term lease of 10 years. The new lease at Reevesland Industrial Estate Newport sees Owens Group expand into the former JoJo Maman Bébé unit of 83,317 sq ft to consolidate their operation as single occupier across the whole site. Asset Manager for Theadneedle Peter Ciezak commented that ‘We were very pleased to have Owens Group expand across the estate. We value our relationship with our tenants so are very excited that we’ve been able to offer them…

Bridgend based multi-award winning commercial vehicle leasing broker Hawkstone Commercials acquires community use vehicle for a men’s mental health community interest company (CIC). Lads & Dads Men’s Mental Wellbeing C.I.C has been gifted the use of a community outreach vehicle to continue its fight against the increasing challenges of men’s mental health in our communities. Launched in 2019, Lads & Dads focuses on walking, talking, thinking, and supporting. With over 2,000 members and 12 committee members. Oliver Lewis, Co-director of Hawkstone Commercials said, ““The work that Lads & Dads have done in recent years has been exceptional. They have helped…

I Should Be So Lucky, a new musical from director Debbie Isitt from the musical minds of Stock, Aitken and Waterman, has landed in Cardiff Bay’s Wales Millenium Centre this week, and it’s one to watch. I went in expecting a Mamma Mia spoof that fell short of the classic, but I was eating my words by the end of the opening half. Camp, over-the-top and an assault on the senses, but in the best possible way! I Should Be So Lucky has the potential to be a real hit, especially amongst the ladies who loved the hits of the…

Traditional products like wool and slate will be trialled as part of a major drive to decarbonise 7,000 homes across Gwynedd. According to business leaders, the ground-breaking Tŷ Gwyrddfai eco-project in Penygroes will put “rocket boosters” under the county’s economy as well as making the properties more energy efficient and cheaper to keep warm at a time of soaring energy costs. The scheme is being championed by housing association Adra in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, which runs three colleges, and Bangor University. There will be an update about the progress at Tŷ Gwyrddfai at the next meeting of the…

With weather forecasters predicting a cold spell the RSPCA is urging people to help keep pets, livestock and wildlife happy and healthy – as part of the charity’s Join the Christmas Rescue campaign. The animal welfare charity has issued 15 tips to help animal-lovers help every animal this winter – with a seasonal cold spell predicted. From the dangers of antifreeze and rocksalt, to preventing poisonous gases building up in fish ponds, there’s loads for animal owners to be aware of at this time of year. RSPCA pet welfare specialist Dr Sam Gaines said: “It’s really important we help our…

Business confidence in Wales fell 15 points during November to 30%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking – conducted between 1st-15th November, before the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announcement on Wednesday 22nd November. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 13 points at 35%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 19 points to 24%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 30%. Wales businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offer 39%, investing in sustainability 39% and hiring new…

Today, Macmillan Cancer Support is launching an emergency appeal as it warns that thousands of people with cancer in Wales are in financial distress, with the hidden costs of a cancer diagnosis, coupled with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, pushing people to ‘extreme measures’.  The leading cancer support charity has seen a worrying rise in people with cancer across the UK contacting its support line with money worries who are also presenting with significant mental health concerns, a 33% increase so far in 2023 compared with 2022i. This comes as new data from the charity covering the past 18…

Following the successful opening of the Council’s first Wellbeing Centre in Lampeter earlier this year, residents are invited to share their views on the second Wellbeing Centre in the county. Residents are invited to share their views on what services and activities they would like to see offered at the Wellbeing Centre in Cardigan. Councillor Catrin M S Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Customer Services, said: “The creation of Wellbeing Centres is a key aspect of the Council’s Corporate Strategy, and improving the health and wellbeing of our residents is a priority for us as a local authority.…

Wales’s largest youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru contributed £44.9 million to the Welsh economy in 2022-23 according to a new report published this week (Wednesday, 29 November 2023) at an event in the Urdd’s Residential Centre in Cardiff Bay. In 5 years, the Urdd’s economic worth has increased from £25.5 million to £44.9 million (an increase of 76%) and the organisation’s turnover has increased from £10.2 million to £19.6 million (88%). Along with economic value the report also addresses the Urdd’s status as an employer for young people in Wales. The main findings of the report by Arad Research are…