Author: Rhys Gregory

With just over a week to go before the Green Economy Conference takes place in Swansea Arena for the first time, council leaders have announced the topics they will be addressing in the opening session. Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart will outline an ambitious vision, discussing the assets and initiatives that could make South West Wales a world leader in green energy and technology. “The Swansea Bay City Deal – an investment of up to £1.3bn in projects including marine energy development and energy efficient homes – is key to that, boosting the regional economy by at least £1.8bn and generating thousands of jobs,” he…

A digital marketer from Colwyn Bay who found his dream job after being made redundant, is encouraging others to take advantage of the free career coaching and financial support for training available to people in Wales. David Burnell, 63, is now working in a new role for a luxury golf travel company after being made redundant earlier this year. He credits his success to the ReAct+ programme, which provided him with free careers advice and a £1,500 grant to go on a training course to expand his skillset. The ReAct+ programme, which is funded by Welsh Government, provides people who…

Addressing SME skills challenges is key to improving overall productivity and supporting improved job quality and career progression according to a joint report by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Wales and The CIPD in Wales. The report, titled A Skills-Led Economy for Wales, examines the experiences of 30 businesses from different sectors across Wales to assess the post-pandemic impact the skills shortage is having on SMEs and the barriers to addressing it. It highlights the need for changes to aspect of skill policy to address plateauing productivity in Wales and rising numbers of skills shortage vacancies. Key findings…

Swansea could become the first European leisure destination for global tourism operator Skyline Enterprises, after the company submitted a planning application to bring a world-class leisure destination to Swansea’s Kilvey Hill this week [Monday 13th November]. After five years of ecological, environmental and feasibility surveys during their global search for their next destination, Skyline has submitted its plans to bring Swansea its own Skyline site with proposals including an accessible gondola (cable car), downhill karting known as the Luge, a zipline, a sky swing, a restaurant and bar, enhanced walking and mountain bike trails, picnicking areas and a children’s adventure…

Representatives from a Cardiff Housing Association recently took part in an overnight sleepout to raise money for Llamau – a charity that supports homeless young people and women who are faced with homelessness. Twelve colleagues at Canton based Taff Housing, slept in the car park of the office for the evening to help raise awareness of homelessness across the city. Latest data from Cardiff Council in April 2023 reported that the number of rough sleepers had reached its highest since 2020, with many people living in their cars whilst trying to work due to combination of low income, rising bills…

Leading power generation specialist, YLEM Energy has recently commissioned three projects across Wrexham, which will see over 23 MW of energy produced and used to power local businesses or fed into the National Grid. Earlier in 2023, YLEM Energy partnered with Wrexham-based Marlin Industries, to install a bespoke 328kWp Solar PV system, specifically designed to match Marlin Industries’ load requirements. The system will help to reduce the companies’ CO2 emissions by over 62 tonnes each year, and deliver savings of £1.5 million in energy costs. Alongside helping other businesses cut down their carbon emissions, YLEM Energy is developing its own…

Flight Club, the home of unexpected, ridiculous, joy have teamed up with Don Papa Rum to transform their stunning rooftop into a Winter Paradise. Creating the ultimate escape and transporting guests to a world of warmth and relaxation with vibrant tropical flowers and lush greenery. But that’s not all; they’ve also launched a specially curated cocktail menu. Immerse yourself in the flavours of the tropics with seasonally-inspired twists on classics. Think Merry Mojitos, Winter Coladas and Flat White Rumtinis – not forgetting Spiced Chai Punches, which can be upgraded to one of Flight Club’s showstopping trophies perfect for sharing with…

Swansea University’s Egypt Centre given rare opportunity to host and study the artefacts that date back 6,000 years. Having spent the majority of their existence in private collections, over 800 rare Egyptian antiquities have arrived at Swansea University’s Egypt Centre, 30 of which are now on public display ¾with all artefacts to be studied in-depth for the first time, revealing details previously lost to history. As Swansea’s Egyptologists embark on uncovering the secrets of these antiquities, members of the public will also have access to the artefacts that tell stories of how an ancient civilisation strived to be remembered. Entitled ‘Causing…

Knighton Costcutter is a convenience store in Powys, serving the communities of Knighton and the surrounding villages. The shop has increased by a quarter of its original space and installed new energy-efficient refrigeration and display units, thanks to a £100,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales The loan – from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund – allowed the creation of more retail space at the shop, and the new cases have helped cut its over-all energy use by up two thirds. The business is a longstanding customer of the Development Bank. Business owner John Ewens bought the Knighton store…

A new change to Wales’s agriculture pollution regulations means that proposed licenses for muck-spreading will no longer be a requirement of farmers – instead they will need only to ‘self-report’ how much manure they put on fields. This voluntary approach will perpetuate the catastrophic consequences of farm run-off for Welsh rivers, say Wildlife Trusts Wales.  Agricultural pollution is known to be the main cause of the poor state of health of some of Wales’s most iconic rivers – it is a more significant factor in their degradation than sewage. Over 60% of rivers that are designated Special Areas of Conservation…