Author: Rhys Gregory

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 46.7 in June, down from 49.4 in May. The latest data signalled a solid contraction in output at Welsh firms, and the fastest fall in activity since February 2021. Economic uncertainty, hesitancy among customers and reports of destocking at clients drove the decline, according to panellists. The decrease in business activity in Wales contrasted with the trend for the UK as a whole, where output rose at a solid pace.…

Top tips are on hand for Swansea businesses looking to save money on their energy bills and cut their carbon footprints. Swansea Council is making a free online training session available aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses contribute to the city’s net zero target. Businesses taking part will learn about the basics of carbon reduction, with the training session covering topics like energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation and waste reduction. Hands-on activities and case studies will also form part of the training session to help participants understand how to apply these concepts in their own businesses. The training…

A man who was left with life-changing injuries following brain surgery is calling for more funding into brain tumour research. Rhys Holmes, of Newport, was left with an undetected slow-bleed after an operation to remove a grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma from his brain when he was just eight, in 1998. His surgery was life-saving, but over the last 25 years, Rhys, who is now 33, has navigated a life complicated by a rare neurodegenerative condition. Superficial siderosis occurs when long-term bleeding into the central nervous system (CNS) overwhelms the body’s natural defences. This results in toxic iron from the blood…

A new Italian wood-fired grill and pizza restaurant is popping-up this month in Candleston Woods, among the trees behind the dunes at Merthyr Mawr. CHAR has teamed up with woodland wellness camping experience This Must Be The Place to open in a woodland cabin every evening between 14-30 July with additional lunch services on the weekends. CHAR is open for bookings for non-resident guests throughout the run. Italian and Welsh friends Giacomo Rimanti and Taylor Seaward set up CHAR this summer after a successful run of pop-ups, festivals and kitchen takeovers with their other food business, Pasta al Sugo. The…

Wales Millennium Centre has announced the first wave of artists for Llais 2023, its flagship international arts festival which will return to Cardiff from 11 – 15 October with a host of local and international acts for the fifth iteration of the annual festival. Llais 2023 will once again activate the spaces around Wales Millennium Centre with an eclectic programme inspired by the instrument that connects us all – the voice. On Friday 13 October Llais 2023 will present Both Sides Now: Celebrating Joni Mitchell – an ode to the iconic performer featuring an incredible line-up of all female singers…

The South Wales Business Awards is pleased to announce that applications for the 2023 South Wales Business Awards are now open. Celebrating its fifteenth year, the South Wales Business Awards is once again ready to recognise best of Welsh business. Since 2008, the South Wales Business Awards has shone a light on our truly special business community. The South Wales Business Awards are being held Friday 15th September at the iconic Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. Sara Edwards, one of Welsh television and radio’s most popular presenters is once again set to resume hosting duties for the 2023 awards. The categories…

An official opening was held on 07 July 2023 of Eos Integrated Children Centre, which is located at Llwyn yr Eos School in Penparcau Aberystwyth, and also Cylch Meithrin Llanarth. Staff and councillors were welcomed to the facility, that was officially opened by Ceredigion County Council Chairman, Councillor Maldwyn Lewis. The construction of both facilities was funded via a Capital Grant from the Welsh Government to support Flying Start provision and the Childcare Offer in Ceredigion, with both construction projects managed by Ceredigion County Council. The Eos Integrated Children’s Centre supports the delivery of the Welsh Government Flying Start Programme…

Comprehensive proposals to enhance and increase Additional Learning Needs provision in Cardiff could see more than 200 new places provided city-wide. A report outlining plans for primary, secondary and special schools, acknowledges the growing population of learners with complex learning needs, autism spectrum conditions and emotional health and wellbeing needs and aims to address the increased demand for specialist placements across Cardiff. The report makes key recommendations for consideration of the Council’s Cabinet, including conducting public consultations on a range of plans which would allow designated placements to be increased by the following; 60 primary-age placements for learners with complex…

A £15m investment to transform facilities at a comprehensive school in Swansea has been completed. Swansea Council deputy-leader David Hopkins has officially opened the refurbished and remodelled Bishopston Comprehensive this week. The past three years have seen major improvements to the school that include a new two-storey extension providing science labs, a state-of-the-art drama studio and art classrooms, while the school now benefits from a new reception and senior leadership area. The whole site has undergone a significant mechanical and electrical upgrade making a huge difference to the teaching and communal areas. The £15m project cost has been jointly funded…

The first of five phases of work to improve the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route will start next week – to upgrade the existing path in Maerdy into a wider, more suitable shared route for pedestrians and cyclists. Welsh Government has recently announced that the Council was successful in securing more than £3.43m from the Active Travel Fund in 2023/24. This allocation includes £1.94m funding for phases 1 and 2 of the active travel route at Maerdy and Ferndale – along with separate funding in a Core Allocation covering phases 3, 4 and 5, between Ferndale and Tylorstown. Phase 1…