Author: Rhys Gregory

A historic seaside hotel has undergone an ambitious green transformation to slash energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint by 84 per cent. The Grade Two listed Llandudno Bay Hotel on the town’s magnificent Victorian seafront had been closed for over two years when it was taken over by Everbright Hotels, there was no hot water to the top floor and it was facing rocketing energy costs The utilities bills were forecast to be over £300,000 but two years on its fortunes have been transformed following a major refurbishment by Everbright Hotels which has trimmed the total amount to just…

Seven men have been sent to prison for a total of 92 years and 10 months at Cardiff Crown Court today (Tuesday January 9) convicted of a series of drugs offences. The men were brought before the Court following a long and complex investigation by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for Southern Wales which spread across the South Wales and Dyfed-Powys police areas. During the investigation cash, drugs and suspected drug dealing paraphernalia was seized, including: Approximately £100,000 cash. Around 1000 cannabis plants. 18kg of cannabis. 7kg of cocaine. Cash counting machines and industrial weighing scales. As a result…

In light of the present financial situation, Bridgend County Borough Council has stressed the importance of a list of strategic transport projects, as well as a Cabinet review of the list in the near future. Discussions at a recent Scrutiny meeting highlighted how a review of the list will ensure that all schemes are still relevant and will also consider the financial impact of future maintenance on the authority, as well as on existing infrastructure. The strategic transport list reveals which schemes could be taken forward when new funding becomes available by UK or Welsh Government, either as part of the…

Swansea Council is gearing up to make one of the most important annual draws for one of its treasured assets. The instantly recognisable green and white Edwardian beach huts at Langland Bay are set to be allocated to lucky residents through a random draw, which will take place in March this year. Residents living in Swansea can now apply online for one of the 57 available huts, providing them with a prime view of one of Gower’s picturesque bays. Rental options including three, four, six, ten and twelve-month tenancy agreements starting from April 2024. Applications for the much sought after…

Plans to introduce a statutory registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales have been announced by the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden with legislation expected to be introduced to the Senedd before the end of the year. The registration and licensing scheme is intended to deliver a register of visitor accommodation types and to enable providers to demonstrate compliance with safety and quality requirements. It is intended to enhance the visitor experience and visitor safety expectations in Wales by ensuring anyone who lets out visitor accommodation meets a relevant set of standards. This…

Online casinos have become a popular alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, offering players more flexible options to gamble from the comfort of their own homes. However, like any other form of gambling, online casinos have both advantages and disadvantages. Don’t let this be a turnoff because every good thing also has its downsides. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of playing at online casinos, helping players make informed decisions about their gambling preferences. Advantages Convenience and Accessibility One of the most significant advantages of online casinos is the convenience they offer. In fact, the comfort that…

Businesses and third-sector organisations based in the Cardiff City or Swansea Bay Regions can access fully-funded support designed to help them drive innovation and boost sustainability from January 2024, thanks to new funding secured by Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC). The Clean Growth Programme is fully funded for eligible organisations and gives participants the tools they need to develop their circular economy understanding, helping them work towards Net Zero goals, enhance service levels, reduce operational costs and meet their responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The programme is delivered in conjunction with Swansea University and Cardiff…

Imagine Theatre and Swansea Grand announce that the 2024/2025 panto offering will be the giant pantomime adventure Jack & the Beanstalk from 07 December 2024 – 05 January 2025. The show will star Swansea panto favourites Kev Johns and Matt Edwards, who return to the theatre for another season by popular demand, with further star casting to be announced. Jack & the Beanstalk will also feature another incredible digital set, which will be brand-new for 2024. Kev Johns, who is currently appearing in this year’s panto Cinderella as Dame Penny Pockets said of his return; “I am absolutely thrilled to…

Sharing information and opinions on social media is something that many people do on a daily basis. Often this content is completely harmless, but it’s important that people take time to think before they share any information to ensure that what they are posting about is true. That’s the message from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, who is backing the ‘Think Before You Share’ campaign, first launched in October 2023 by Merseyside PCC Emily Spurrell in partnership with local councils in the Merseyside area. With the rollout of the bilingual campaign in North Wales, local residents…

Shares in the GS Verde Group have been admitted to trade on JP Jenkins share dealing platform. The GS Verde Group is headquartered at The Maltings, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, with additional offices in Bristol and Dublin, and is registered as a company in England and Wales under Companies House, company number 15101725. The completion of the seven-figure raise gives the Group a £9m post-money valuation on the JP Jenkins platform, which is the UK’s oldest secondary market and has provided a marketplace for share trading for established household brands such as Dyson and Weetabix as well as football clubs…