Author: Rhys Gregory

A £40,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales has enabled Freaklizard, an online retailer of motorcycle, scooter and performance car parts and accessories to complete the fit-out of its new office and warehousing premises at Green Park Industrial Estate, Pontyclun. Motorcycling fanatic Nick Long started selling motorcycle and scooter parts through on eBay in 2008. He opened his online store in 2017 before launching Freaklizard in 2018 with the help of an initial micro loan from the Development Bank. Freaklizard has now taken a five-year lease on the 1300 sq.ft shell unit with the latest loan from the…

Nearly 200 food and drink industry professionals have gathered in Cardiff this week to discuss food safety resilience at the 20th annual United Kingdom Association for Food Protection (UKAFP) conference. Organised by Cardiff Metropolitan University’s ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, the UKAFP conference brings together food and drink processing and manufacturing businesses with academics and environmental health professionals. Helen Taylor, Technical Director, ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre said: “As food safety professionals, it has never been more important for us to come together to discuss the latest science and solutions so we can continue to respond to and overcome the challenges faced…

The UK Space Agency will provide an additional £10.7 million to replace a Russian-made instrument on the Rosalind Franklin rover, so that it can launch to Mars in 2028. The rover, which was built by Airbus in Stevenage as part of a European Space Agency programme, was due to launch in 2022 but the collaboration with Russia’s space agency (Roscosmos) was cancelled following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The new funding will allow a UK team to replace the Russian-built Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars (ISEM) so that the mission can recover its full scientific potential. Work on the new instrument,…

In an exclusive video, Cymru Players Ben Davies, Joe Morrell, and David Brooks share simple tips to help women feel safe and discuss the importance of men talking to one another about healthy relationship behaviours. To mark White Ribbon Day 2023, which aims to raise awareness of and take action to end men’s violence against women and girls, the Football Association of Wales have partnered with the recently launched Sound campaign to start a conversation around gender-based violence. This weekend also coincides with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), which marks the start of 16…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has secured £19.8m of funding for its Barry Making Waves – Y Barri Creu Tonnau project. The plans, led and developed in detail by the Council and shaped by local residents and a number of local and regional partners, will provide a watersports centre at Barry Waterfront and a marina, along with a new park. It will also see the creation of new business space for the town. There will also be further investment into the town’s active travel network on the waterfront. The proposals have been developed in partnership with local community organisations and…

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet have agreed for the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion construction works to go out to tender following the completion of the design process. The project will improve the condition of the Grade II listed building by addressing the issue of concrete cancer whilst also creating new function rooms, office spaces and cafe facilities. Much needed improvements will also be made to the auditorium and plans also include an accessible “changing places” facility. Earlier this year, the Council were awarded £18m Levelling Up Funding from the UK Government, following a successful application by the council working in close…

St David’s Cardiff has launched dozens of Black Friday deals with exclusive discounts across the week.   Guests at the city shopping destination can find week-long Black Friday prices at brands from fashion and beauty to homeware and jewellery. Discounts at St David’s include up 40% off at Zara, BOSS, Morphe, Swarovski and Smiggle with up to 50% off at Levi’s, MOSS, New Look and Carvela. Other deals include 30% off at Allsaints and Pandora, 20% off Superdry and 5% off homeware at BoConcept.  Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, commented: “Black Friday was traditionally a one-day flash event but…

Neath Port Talbot Council is inviting expressions of interest for the second round of funding from the Property Development Fund (PDF) focusing on the dynamic Port Talbot Waterfront area, which takes in Harbourside, Baglan Energy Park and Baglan Industrial Estate. The PDF is a strategic initiative aimed at boosting development by providing financial support for the construction or refurbishment of high-quality buildings for industrial and commercial use. With a focus on the research, development and innovation sectors it seeks to drive economic growth across the region and create and protect jobs. Specifically designed to bridge the financial gap between construction…

embrokeshire County Council is seeking expressions of interest for table-top pop-up offerings within the popular indoor market in Tenby. It is hoped that the pop-up stalls will showcase local produce, generate additional footfall and make a positive contribution to the vibrancy of the market. Potential stall holders can apply for just one day or for regular slots right up to Christmas. Prices for a day start at just £25. It is hoped that this will provide an opportunity for new businesses and those people wanting to ‘dip their toe in the water’. If successful, it’s hoped there will be ongoing…

Trumpeter Carys Wood from Haverfordwest High VC School was the overall winner at this year’s Secondary Schools Valero Music Festival. The annual festival, which is organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council Music Service and sponsored by Valero, took place at Ysgol Caer Elen on Saturday (November 18th). More than 240 young musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day. Later in the afternoon, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a ‘Spotlight’ concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble…