Author: Rhys Gregory

A WELSH charity that has invested over £3 million in cancer research projects across North Wales is opening three new shops in the area. Cancer Research Wales is setting up shop in Llandudno, Wrexham and Bangor in the next three months. The Llandudno store on Gloddaeth Street will be launching in late February with the Wrexham shop on Priory Street opening for trade in March. Cancer Research Wales’s brand-new Bangor charity shop in the Menai Centre is scheduled to open its doors in May. The shops will be selling a range of quality goods and providing opportunities for local people…

Business confidence in Wales has declined for the second consecutive quarter amid financial challenges and wider economic uncertainty, a survey of business leaders has revealed. Sentiment tracked by ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) for Wales, published today, put confidence at -6.7 on the index for Q4 2023, a drop from -3.2 in the previous quarter and the lowest reading in the UK. However, Welsh companies are optimistic about their prospects for the next 12 months and forecast that annual domestic sales growth will hit 5.5% during the forthcoming year, somewhat higher than the projected rate for the UK average. This…

A Cardiff-based consultancy that works with businesses to achieve their carbon reduction goals and ESG targets has made a key appointment that will help take it to the next level. Green Ibex was founded by experienced project and programme manager Jonathan Jones with a mission to help companies shape and deliver their sustainability strategies and move towards net zero. Now it has appointed former BBC Cymru Wales Chief Operating Officer Gareth Powell as a non-executive director as it aims to take advantage of the growing demand from businesses for sustainability solutions. Gareth Powell,  a Chartered Accountant, has held roles in…

New outdoor pods to enable students and staff to meet, collaborate and study closer to nature have been unveiled at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University.  The new pods, which are situated in the Quad area of the Wrexham campus, have been purchased with funding from the University’s joint ‘Nature-based Social Prescribing’ project, which aims to strengthen students’ overall wellbeing and feel more connected to their surroundings through nature. As part of the project, which secured more than £400,000 of funding last year, both students and staff were invited to take part in the research element. This was to help the Research team…

Last week marked the official unveiling of Zizzi Bridgend, located in the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, introducing a fresh and captivating ambience.   The much-anticipated launch of Zizzi Bridgend is the latest in the chain’s rollout of its newly designed restaurants, bringing the total to 137 across the UK. Zizzi is a welcome addition to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend where customers can enjoy day-to-night family entertainment at the shopping centre. Talented local mural artist Hannah Davies was selected to be part of this opening, designing artwork for the restaurant. Hannah’s design called The Sunset over Ogmore Dunes is inspired by one…

A valleys college has scooped a string of top awards at a national culinary competition after impressing judges with the quality and skills of its learners. Coleg y Cymoedd has won 19 awards at this year’s Welsh International Culinary Championships – one of the most prestigious hospitality skills events in Wales – including being crowned the country’s ‘Best College’ in recognition of outstanding achievement from the panel of judges. Organised by the Culinary Association Wales, a partnership of professional chefs and caterers, with the aim of raising the culinary profile of Wales, the Welsh International Culinary Championships provides aspiring chefs…

Welsh Government has announced that 2024 is the year of Wales in India. Year-long celebrations will bring the two countries together through a series of events, stories and activities and celebrate the two cultures. To kick start the year, Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh Language Children’s Laureate), Nia Morais led a panel discussion at the Kolkata Literature Festival, hosted children’s literature sessions and discussions on the Welsh Language. As part of the International Kolkata Book Fair, the Kolkata Literature Festival is one of the largest literature festivals in the world with c.2.1 million attendees and is situated in north-east India. Nia…

Swansea Market has been crowned Britain’s best large indoor market in a national awards scheme. The city centre venue was given the honour by trade body the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). The award follows an assessment by award judges. It’s one of the most sought after prizes at the annual NABMA awards. The award was presented to Swansea at a NABMA conference in Birmingham on Thursday, January 25. It’s the latest accolade for Swansea Market which won the same title in 2015 and 2020. Judges have praised it for championing local entrepreneurs, its commitment to development and…

The former Cwmgors Primary School building, which closed in 2015, will soon re-open its doors to the local community as energy charity Awel Aman Tawe (AAT) realises ambitions for the building as a Net Zero Community Hub. The newly renovated facility, now known as Hwb y Gors, has been a labour of love for Awel Aman Tawe, which has been developing its plans for the Hwb since acquiring it in 2018. The Hwb will offer a community and enterprise space, co-working studios, educational facilities and a community café. A community electric transport scheme will also operate from the facility. The…

Demolition of the former Bronllwyn Residential Care Home site in Gelli has resumed, so it can be developed into modern specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities in adulthood and older age. Demolition work has now recommenced following a break on site due to the liquidation of the former demolition contractor, whose previous site activity had completed the strip-out of the existing buildings. All structures will now be demolished, including removal of infrastructure such as foundations – while all demolished materials will be removed from the site. Upon completion of the demolition phase, the site at Colwyn Road will…