Author: Rhys Gregory

A performing arts franchise in Swansea is under new ownership thanks to a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK. The Stagecoach Performing Arts franchise in Swansea, which includes eight schools catering for aspiring performing arts students from the age of 4 to 18, has been acquired by teacher Kelly-Marie Rosina Williams and her husband Benn. The duo, who have worked with the franchise for the past decade, purchased the business, which covers all its existing Swansea locations and its 400 students, after previous owner announced plans to retire. The HSBC UK funded acquisition will ensure business-as-normal for the schools which…

Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, are urging people to take advantage of the final weekend of the Welsh Government’s tree giveaway, My Tree Our Forest, to help tackle the effects of climate change. Over the past year, households across Wales have been collecting trees, free of charge, as part of the giveaway, with each tree contributing towards a National Forest for Wales. So far, the project has allocated tens of thousands of trees to Welsh households. As part of the popular My Tree Our Forest initiative, over 60 collection hubs facilitated by Coed Cadw will close for the…

Primark has announced plans to ramp up the rollout of two of its most loved in-store experiences. Following the launch of successful partnerships with Greggs and WornWell by the Vintage Wholesale Company last year, Primark will roll out further concessions in new UK locations – with six new concessions opening in the next three months alone – as it looks to add to the in-store experiences that are only available in Primark stores.  As part of these plans, the retailer will open four new Tasty by Greggs cafés in its Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool and Leeds stores between now and the…

Bouygues UK have installed a ‘wall of kindness’ at its 71/72 Kingsway site in Swansea to help provide those in need with warm clothing. Located on the site hoarding on Oxford Street, the wall of kindness allows people to leave clothing they no longer want which can then be used by those in need. Pegs attached to the wall give passers by the opportunity to take or leave coats and other items of clothing. With a tough winter of cold temperatures, storms and torrential rain, the wall has so far provided more than 30 items for those who cannot afford…

As part of its growth plans to offer multi-service, added value solutions, Indigo Group have acquired the majority of shares and assets of BMSL Group, a leading recruitment company operating in the construction and transport sectors. With operational bases in London and Cardiff, Indigo is one of the UK’s leading providers of commercial contracting, worker engagement and payroll solutions and the acquisition will push group revenue towards £600 million per annum. Ian Cole-Wilkins, Indigo CEO, said: “This is exciting news for us and is a clear signal of our ambitious growth plans. BMSL is a stable, well run business with…

Researchers analysing wastewater say that routine monitoring at sewage treatment works could provide a powerful early warning system for the next flu or norovirus epidemic, alerting hospitals to prepare and providing public health agencies with vital health information. In the first large scale and comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) study in the UK, scientists at Bangor University, the University of Bath and the UK Heath Security Agency analysed wastewater from 10 cities for both chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and disease-causing viruses. They collected samples from each location at hourly intervals over 24 hours on nine days…

Residents in Morriston affected by the gas explosion last week will be able to access a range of support and services at a new community support point being set up at the local library. Swansea Council staff will be on hand to provide more support over the coming weeks for those affected by the blast. The community support point based at Morriston Library opens on March 22 and support and advice will be available six days a week. Staff from various Council departments and a range of specialist service providers will be on hand to offer support, advice and information…

A community fun day to celebrate the opening of the new Rhiwbina Wellbeing Hub will be held later this week. To mark its official opening, there’ll be lots going on at the new wellbeing hub on Friday, March 24, from 2-5pm including arts and crafts, a circus and entertainment workshop, wood fired pizza, community stalls and more. There will also be the chance to find out more about services available at the hub, which has undergone a major refurbishment and remodelling to enable the delivery of additional and enhanced services with a strong focus on health and wellbeing.  The hub…

A Pembrokeshire school’s commitment to being a safe and welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary has been recognised with an important accolade. Pembroke Dock Community School is the first school in the County to be awarded a national School of Sanctuary award. It joins a national network of more than 380 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms all committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for those seeking sanctuary. The school has welcomed families from war-torn countries, including Syria and Ukraine, and is committed to learning about the about the reasons for migration and displacement as…

A building company and its sole director were fined for taking money from a Newport resident but failing to carry out any work. Newport City Council successful prosecuted Ralsco Ltd and Julius Turko for three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The company and Turko admitted failing to provide cancellation rights to a customer; failing to provide the business name and address and taking a payment of £2,300 but failing to carry out any work. At Cwmbran magistrates court, Turko, aged 48, of Cormorant Way, Duffryn, was fined a total of £1,500 and ordered to pay compensation…