Author: Rhys Gregory

As Christmas approaches, Smart Money Cymru’s newest branch is encouraging local residents to call in and see what help is on offer at this challenging time of year. Manager of the Community Bank’s branch at Penywaun near Aberdare is Eleri Walters who was born and lives in the locality. “At this time of year finances of families and individuals are stretched to the limit and we are here to help,” she said. “We are working to prevent people being shut out from essential financial services and provide the banking services that everyone needs and deserves in a welcoming and accessible…

The flu can make you feel downright miserable, and when you get it, you probably cannot wait to be rid of it. But is it possible to speed up recovery from the flu and get better faster? It is, and we are going to share with you a few things you can do to get back on your feet quickly. Drink Plenty of Liquids No matter what kind of sickness you have, drinking plenty of water is usually going to help. Focus on liquids that are healthy for you and that your body is good at retaining. That would mean…

Two family-owned restaurants are getting ready to open their doors to the public for the first time on December 1st. Situated side by side, Bodega wine bar and restaurant will be joined by a second branch of Ballers pizzeria (the first outpost is situated in Heath); both restaurants will be bringing a taste of the owner’s Spanish heritage to the leafy Cardiff suburb of Lakeside. Both businesses are owned and operated by Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez; the couple also operate The Priory hotel and restaurant in Caerleon. Bodega: A Culinary Celebration of Fire, Fine Wine, and the Mediterranean Bodega, seen within the family as the little…

Aberystwyth now has access to Wales’ biggest EV charging site thanks to a new hub with 40 charging points at the National Library of Wales. The charging hub, including 10 rapid Tritium 75kW DC charging points, will benefit local electric vehicle owners, including customers of nearby towns and villages, as well as attract tourists who are either visiting or passing through Aberystwyth. The new retail EV charging site in will enable up to 40 vehicles to charge simultaneously. The site includes eight rapid (DC) connectors for public access and two rapid (DC) connectors for staff access, enabling a 20% -…

International pop sensation Anne-Marie will headline Cardiff’s one-day festival DEPOT in the Castle on Saturday 27th July 2024. Anne-Marie is one of the world’s most-loved and successful, globally renowned pop stars of our time. Since bursting on the scene, Anne-Marie has become a multi-platinum and award-winning star with a string of chart-busting hits under her belt including ‘2002’, co- written by Ed Sheeran, ‘FRIENDS’ and ‘PSYCHO’ featuring rapper Aitch, and promises to bring an unmissable show live at Cardiff Castle next summer. Anne-Marie is an artist known for her playful songs, stunning vocals and infectious personality as showcased during her time…

Welsh food and drink businesses are in Singapore to promote their first-class products. Organised by the Welsh Government, the Trade Development Visit to Singapore provides a platform to engage with potential partners, distributors, and buyers in the region. The visit aims to highlight Wales’ diverse range of high-quality products, including dairy, bakery and alcohol products. Importing about 90% of its food and drinks consumption, Singapore is a country with great potential for Welsh food and drinks exports, as the sector sets its sights on further growth. Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, said: “This…

Leading global consultancy Arcadis is the latest company to move to the refurbished Hodge House office building in central Cardiff. Legal General Investment Management (LGIM), on behalf of its Legal & General UK Property Fund, recently invested £20 million to refurbish and transform the 110,000 sq ft eight-storey office building in St Mary Street. Arcadis has taken a 10-year lease on the 6,631 sq ft Suite 4D on the fourth floor. Legal & General was represented in the transaction by Fletcher Morgan and Knight Frank while Cushman & Wakefield acted for Arcadis. Arcadis specialises in delivering solutions in the built…

The Development Bank of Wales and a syndicate of nine business angels are backing a Cardiff start-up with an equity investment of £370,000 that will help transform workplace training. Lead investor Andrew Diplock has led the fundraise which includes £185,000 from business angels and £185,000 match-funding from the Development Bank’s Wales Angel Co-investment Fund for eLearning company Academii. Based at Tramshed Tech, Academii is led by Adrian Coles and Steve Lanigan. It was Steve Lanigan who led the management buy-out of Caerphilly-based ALS People with the backing of the Development Bank. He grew the run rate from £13 million in…

Around 10% fewer elderly people who fall in nursing homes across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot are being taken to hospital by ambulance, thanks to better staff education. The unique training rolled out by Morriston Hospital clinicians to 177 nursing home staff has also dramatically reduced the number of people who have fallen having to stay where they fell because staff were afraid to move them. Now, because of the training, there has been a 99% reduction in fallers staying on the floor until an ambulance arrives. Instead, staff feel confident to move many people who have taken a tumble…

AN AWARD-WINNING recruitment agency celebrating a decade in business is planning for expansion and targeting new industries. A busy year has seen Rhyl-based QiStaff Solutions experience a surge in demand for candidates to fill clerical and administrative vacancies. And building on the company’s strong connections in manufacturing and construction, directors Evette Easton and Julie Lloyd are planning to open a second office in north east Wales, to service customers in Flintshire, Wrexham and Cheshire. Employing five consultants at its Russell Road headquarters, QiStaff is one of the most respected names in the sector – Evette and Julie have more than…