Author: Rhys Gregory

The rate at which mortgage lenders in the market offer you loans is decided by the Bank of England rate. 2022 witnessed this rate increasing substantially, affecting the mortgage costs of several home buyers. So, how do interest rates affect mortgages? When you decide to purchase a house on a mortgage, the interest rate determines your purchasing power, affordability, and your mortgage costs over a long period of time. If there is an increase in these rates, it will increase your monthly repayments as well as the overall interest you pay throughout the life of your mortgage deal. The only…

Gold has always been a valuable commodity and a symbol of wealth and prosperity. People have been investing in gold for centuries, but with the recent economic uncertainty and Gold prices at an all time high, more and more people are selling their gold for cash. There are many reasons why people sell their unwanted gold, and understanding these motivations can help you make informed decisions about your own gold investments. In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons why people choose to sell gold, and how the right cash for gold companies can help. Financial Emergencies One of the…

Establishing a brick-and-mortar business can be an exhilarating, albeit challenging, endeavour. From discovering the ideal location to creating a welcoming environment for customers, there are numerous aspects to consider. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the crucial components of setting up a successful physical business, including shop fitting, buying property, conducting land and title searches, planning searches, and securing equity finance. Understanding these aspects can lay a solid foundation for your business to flourish. Crafting Your Perfect Space Shop fitting is essential to the success of your brick-and-mortar business, as it sets the stage for your customers’ experiences. A…

Thousands of runners and spectators turned out for the return of the 2023 ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K, enjoying cool conditions ideal for fast times. Nearly 6,000 runners were signed up across the marathon, 10K and junior events, with the flat and fast courses delivering memorable performances and three new course records on a landmark day for distance running in Wales. Cardiff’s Dan Nash, who is the current British record holder for 50km pipped 2021 champion and former track star Adam Bowden in the closing stages of the marathon, winning the men’s title in a brilliant 2:19:46 – a…

South Wales IT provider Toolk-IT has been acquired by the Flotek Group, the fast-growing, innovative MSP with an ambitious mission to provide the most customer-centric, fully integrated IT and Telecoms support in the technology market. Founded by Richard Williams out of the need for an informed IT provider that enables businesses to keep up with diverse and evolving technology demands, Toolk-IT’s comprehensive service offering includes cyber-security, broadband and helpdesk support. The acquisition, which is Flotek’s seventh since launching in May last year, sees Toolk-IT access further telecoms support and resources through the Group, to augment its offering to clients. Flotek…

Hollywood actor Rhys Ifans has recorded a special video to wish happy birthday to a “totally inspirational” arts centre at a former police station. The pioneering complex in the slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, that’s home to host of creative, cultural and media training projects, a cinema, a café bar and a hostel for visitors, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a concert on Friday, April 21. Originally, the appropriately named CellB also housed the local magistrates’ court and the cells for prisoners. In contrast, the centre is now freeing up the creative energy of young people from the area…

The two winning Freeport bids in Wales are expected to create 20,000 new, high-skilled jobs across a wide range of businesses, not just those with import and export operations, according to property consultancy Knight Frank. Celtic Freeport at Port Talbot and Anglesey Freeport at Milford Haven were the successful bidders announced last month and the new sites are set to attract an estimated £5 billion of investment. Claire Williams, Head of UK and European Industrial Research at Knight Frank, said: “Companies inside the tax sites will be offered temporary tax breaks including reductions to the tax companies pay on their…

A bakery is flying the flag for Wales as part of a major export drive to promote the nation’s food and drink around the world. Commercial officers from 15 different countries working for the UK Government in partnership with the Welsh Government  were “blown away” by a visit of the Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham. They included food specialists from international offices as far afield as South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belgium, Canada and America. The visit was organised by the Department for Business and Trade as part of a week-long UK tour, with the Village Bakery being one…

Ceredigion County Council is warning residents to be aware of an energy efficiency installer who has been using the Council’s logo without permission on social media. A Birmingham-based iEnergy Ltd company has been using the Council’s logo to promote the availability of grant funding for household energy efficiency measures through sponsored adverts on Facebook. The use of the logo by iEnergy wrongfully suggests that the Council has given endorsement and is in partnership with the installer. The Council has not given iEnergy Ltd. permission to use the Ceredigion County Council logo and does not endorse the services the company provides.…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Heathfields Residential Home in Bridgend, Wales. Established in 1986, Heathfields Residential Home is registered with the CIW to care for up to 22 adults with personal care and mental health needs. The business occupies an attractive and well-presented double-fronted, period property with a substantial two-storey extension to the rear as well as a converted two-storey coach house with additional office and administration rooms. The home is located in the county borough of Bridgend, South Wales, between Cardiff and Swansea. The home maintains a very high occupancy rate with…