Author: Rhys Gregory

Well folks, the bittersweet end of lease clean has arrived! I know, these walls hold so many amazing memories. But your next adventure awaits after this final cleaning battle. To get that security deposit back in full, the rental has to be returned in tip-top shape – we’re talking spotless! Don’t leave a speck behind or it’ll cost you. Doing a high-quality end of tenancy cleaning on your own takes forever. Make it easier on yourself and tackle each room with a plan. Here are my best tips for a spotless rental handover: Start Early! I Mean It Listen, don’t…

Swansea Bay Business Club has announced two new Board members and its new President and Deputy President for 2024 and 2025. Taking over as President is Amy Seppman, the Marketing Director and one of the business owners at JCP Solicitors, one of South Wales’ most recognised law firms, employing 180 people across 8 offices in South Wales, including Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Amy who has been on the Board since 2013, assumes the role of President from Michael Morgan, Managing Director of west Wales based Morgan & Morgan Business and Technology. With over 20 years at JCP Solicitors under her…

Activity in the housing market in Wales picked up in December, with the number of newly agreed sales reported to have risen for the first time in almost two years, as the trend towards lowered mortgage rates continues, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey. A net balance of 18% of Welsh respondents reported a rise in sales through the month of December, the first time this figure has been in positive territory since February 2022. The near-term outlook for sales also remains positive, with a net balance of 9% of respondents in Wales…

Leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Lauren Carlyle as its new Practice Lead for South West England and Wales. Lauren is responsible for leading and growing Grant Thornton’s regional team of almost 300 people based across the firm’s Bristol and Cardiff offices. Jonathan Riley, Grant Thornton’s previous practice leader in South West England and Wales, rotated out of the role at the end of 2023 to consider new challenges. As Practice Lead, Lauren is responsible for developing the teams across Bristol and Cardiff to ensure that they have the people and talent required to support…

Leading social scientist from Swansea University, Dr Lella Nouri and her team, have developed a new app which revolutionises the way communities can track and report hate graffiti ¾ all with the aim of understanding tensions within a community, and building intervention programmes to eradicate the issues. A first-of-its-kind reporting system, the StreetSnap app will soon be available for use across all local authorities in Wales and England. The app is currently being trialled in Bridgend, and was created in partnership with the Legal Innovation Lab Wales and Bridgend County Council, putting the Welsh Government’s Anti-racism Action Plan into practice. The app is now available for all counties in Wales…

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales releases its final report into its work today following a two year national conversation. Co-chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams, The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales was set up in 2021 to look at how Wales is governed and options for change. The group of 11 Commission members come from a range of diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of expertise and political views. The Commission began a national conversation to listen to a range of voices in Wales and set to work looking at…

Winter can be a fun time for pets, but with forecasts of an ‘arctic blast’ on the way, PDSA experts are warning owners to keep our four-legged friends safe and warm in the wintry conditions. Pets can be at risk of hypothermia if they get too cold, but it’s also important to ensure they stay active during freezing temperatures. PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, asked their Vet Nurse Nina Downing to put together her top tips on keeping our pets cosy and safe through the big freeze. Dogs Giving dogs their daily walks is important for their…

Love Trails Festival has announced the first acts on its music line-up for 2024 with JOY (Anonymous) and Stornoway confirmed to round-off a unique weekend of exploration set in the Gower Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Love Trails is the world’s first trail running and music festival, transforming the Gower Peninsula, Wales into a natural playground for revellers and adventure junkies alike. Combining the collective euphoria of watching live music on a big stage, the ‘runner’s high’ and the liberating freedom of the rugged Welsh coastline, it’s a magical event like no other. Headlining the festival this…

The RSPCA is reminding XL Bully owners in England and Wales who want to exempt their dogs under the new law that they have just two weeks left to apply online. The UK Government has set a deadline of noon on Wednesday 31 January 2024 for online applications, and XL Bullies who have not been exempted by this date will be illegal to own and a criminal offence.. Owners of XL Bullies in England and Wales can apply for exemption on the UK Government website. There is a fee of £92.40 per dog and a requirement to have third party…

FSB Wales has published a new report Manufacturing Momentum on the future of the manufacturing sector in Wales. The report, written by Professor David Pickernell and colleagues at Swansea Business School at Swansea University looks to provide a stocktake of the challenges that firms within the sector have faced in recent years and look at future opportunities, informed by FSB members and manufacturing firms in Wales. FSB’s earlier research emphasized challenges in energy, transportation, and the recruitment of suitably trained staff. However, our latest report reveals a concerning pattern where these pre-existing issues persist concurrently, creating new barriers to growth…