Author: Rhys Gregory

Six new affordable homes near Swansea have been completed and officially handed over to local housing association Caredig. Homebuilder Bellway is building 184 new homes at its Parc Mawr development off Brynrhos Crescent in Penllergaer. They are divided into 147 properties for private sale and 37 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. In January, the first six affordable homes were finished and handed over to Swansea-based Caredig, a registered social landlord. The new homes are already occupied for rent or shared ownership by local people. Sales Manager for Bellway Wales, Rhodri Davies, said: “Providing affordable properties to people who…

The five zones and five zone sponsors for the Swansea Conference have been announced. The conference, which takes place at Swansea Arena on March 29, unites local businesses, organisations and individuals who are making change happen in the Swansea region. The event is free to attend. It will include updates and key announcements on current and planned initiatives to make Swansea a better place to live, work, holiday and do business in. Last year’s conference, also held at Swansea Arena, attracted over 120 exhibitors and over 2500 delegates. This year’s conference looks set to exceed those figures. The Arena will…

Top 100 Law Firm Hugh James has strengthened its financial planning services with the appointment of David Hulse in the role of Head of Financial Planning. David brings 19-years’ experience across asset management and financial services to the team. He joins from Portfolio Financial Consultancy, where he focused on asset management services for high-net-worth clients, charities and commercial partners. A qualified financial planner, David has held management positions and senior financial planning roles in high street banks such as NatWest, Lloyds and the Principality Building Society, working with personal and corporate clients. As Head of Hugh James’ Financial Planning department,…

A top Welsh food distribution company is reporting record sales of £600,000 and crowds of over 2,500 at its biggest ever food expo event. Harlech Foodservice’s annual two-day trade expo smashed last year’s figures – the first since 2019 because of the pandemic – with the 120 exhibitor stands at the high profile event at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru another record. They came to see – and taste – over 1,000 products being showcased by Harlech which celebrated its 50thanniversary last year and to enjoy cookery demonstrations including by Wales’s own BBQ expert, Caernarfon’s S4C star, Flamebaster Chris Roberts. Exhibitors included…

A fast growing bakery is set to more than triple the amount it exports. Overseas sales at the Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham are due to increase from £1.5 million last year to £5 million in 2023. The family firm’s award-winning products are already staple lines for most of the best known supermarkets in the UK. The company, which has several bakeries on Wrexham Industrial Estate and another in Minera on the outskirts of the town, employs 800 people. According to managing director Robin Jones, they are now reaping the rewards of a major investment programme over recent years. Two…

An international harp festival being held in North Wales has been given a major boost. The World Music competition at the Wales International Harp Festival, which will be staged for the fifth time at Galeri Caernarfon from April 5-11 is being supported by the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park. Organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), the festival will feature concerts, masterclasses, workshops and lecture recitals. Pendine, which runs the Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon and other homes in Wrexham, will sponsor the competition to the tune of £3,500 from the Pendine Arts and Community…

A former firefighter and truck driver who knew from an early age she was trapped in the wrong body has undergone gender confirmation surgery at the age of 80. Devout churchgoer Isobel Jeffery, who began transitioning to female in October 2021 at the age of 79 after living her life as a woman for six years, says it has enabled her to finally find peace. After beginning hormone therapy a year ago, she had the operation at the private Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham in January this year under Consultant Urologist Christian Seipp. Isobel said: “I cannot tell you how…

Eight years since its creation – and just over three years after it was last relocated – Cardiff’s biggest independent warehouse events venue is investing £500,000 into moving to new premises. The DEPOT, who have established themselves as one of the best-loved entertainment brands in the city, will relocate to a new 30,000 sq ft venue on Curran Road. They will form part of developer Vastint’s transformative, mixed-use development scheme which aims to strengthen connections between Cardiff City Centre and the bay along the banks of the River Taff. The move will increase the venue’s total capacity from 1,600 to…

A substantial six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales has helped Alexander Sage and Carl Adams to complete the management buy-out of Motomec Aberdare Limited allowing them to take over the ownership and management of the Aberdare based business. Motomec was established by Eddie Hawkins in 1987 and is now one of the largest independent garages in Aberdare. As a successful motor vehicle service and repair workshop with a customer base that includes private individuals and corporate fleets, Motomec has three work stations, an MOT station and parking for around 20 vehicles on site. The company also has technicians…

Savills Cardiff has announced four promotions within its multi-disciplinary office. The promotions, which took effect on 1st March 2023, are within the real estate consultancy’s development, property management and planning teams. Chris Potts, head of Savills Cardiff, said: ‘I am delighted to announce our 2023 promotions and warmly congratulate Andrew, Jo, Chloe and Josh, who have seen their hard work recognised with new positions within their respective teams. Our business continues to grow and it is very much testament to the talent and commitment of our multi-disciplinary experts.’ The full list of promotions is below: Andrew Weeks Development Director Jo…