Author: Rhys Gregory

The new Aldi foodstore in Porthcawl is set to officially open this Thursday (13 July) and around 45 local residents have been successful in gaining employment at the store. The store is located at Salt Lake in Porthcawl and features a unique design which includes a ‘wave’ motif and the use of distinctive wood and limestone materials to create a landmark gateway to the town. The outside areas have also been extensively landscaped and include benches and examples of local art. The store also has over 100 car parking spaces, which includes designated blue badge spaces as well as parent…

Flotek Group, a fast-growing Managed IT and Telecom Service provider, is ready for the next phase of the buy and build strategy. Having completed 8 acquisitions in 12 months, Flotek Group now have 5 offices across the UK with a key focus on the South West. Jay Ball, CEO of Flotek Group, attributes the company’s rapid growth to the seamless integration of acquired businesses across multiple sectors, including IT, telecom communications, and data infrastructure throughout the UK.  With a focus on culture alignment from the outset, Flotek’s 100-day integration plan clearly outlines goals and key performance indicators. Jay said: “Our…

The return of face-to-face banking to a Denbighshire town has come as a massive relief to residents like 74-year old Pearl Williams. Corwen’s last full banking service ended when the Nat West branch closed its doors in 2015 and since then there has only been a limited service available at the town’s post office and a one-day a week mobile service provided by NatWest in a car park. But now South Denbighshire Community Partnership’s Canolfan Ni headquarters in Corwen is home to a new Cambrian Credit Union hub which will be open three-days a week. The new counter service offers…

The second quarter of the year saw take up of large industrial property in Wales reach 200,000 sq ft, down significantly compared with the same period last year, according to new research by global property consultancy Knight Frank. The level of activity for properties over 50,000 sq ft was 177,000 sq ft lower than during Q2 2022 and less than half the number of transactions witnessed in Q1 this year. Neil Francis, head of Logistics & Industrial at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “The figures comprised one sale in North Wales and two lettings in South Wales, with the stand…

New figures show close to a quarter of a million visits were made to Swansea Arena in its first year of operation. Developed by Swansea Council as part of the city’s Copr Bay district, the arena is run by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG). Over 241,000 people enjoyed ticketed events, conferences, exhibitions, banquets, graduations and creative learning events at the venue up to March 2023. The Hollywood Vampires – including Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper – were the most recent stars to take to the stage at the venue last Friday evening. The Proclaimers and Busted are among the stars due to perform at the…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Crick Care Home in the Monmouthshire village of Crick. Crick Care Home is a managed nursing home registered with the CIW to provide care for up to 49 residents. The business occupies an impressive, attractive manor house building, with a purpose-built extension on a site of just under an acre. The property, which comprises 47 bedrooms and boasts large rooms, a warm homely feel and excellent garden facilities, is located in the small village of Crick in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, which is just a few miles from the established…

In total there have been 55 incidents investigated by the RSPCA in Wales following calls to the charity concerning dog fighting since 2019. Last year (2022) there were 25 dog fighting incidents – an increase from 10 the following year (2021). The leading animal welfare charity released the new figures as part of their Cancel Out Our Cruelty Campaign which launched at the start of the month. RSPCA dog fighting expert and Special Operations Unit (SOU) chief inspector for Wales, Ian Muttitt, said: “Sadly we are back seeing pre-pandemic levels of dog fighting incidents. “Across England and Wales we were seeing…

Penderyn Distillery, Wales’ most esteemed whisky producer, is proud to announce the opening of its third distillery in Swansea. The impressive whisky distillery, located at the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks, officially opens its doors on July 14, 2023. The completion of this state-of-the-art distillery is the result of a collaborative effort between Penderyn Distillery, Swansea Council, Swansea University, and several funding sources. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government Economy and Transport funding, and Welsh Government Targeted Regeneration Investment funding, and Penderyn themselves, have collectively contributed £15 million to the successful realisation of this ambitious project. The Hafod Morfa Copperworks,…

Voluntary youth groups and organisations in Ceredigion can apply for a grant to spend on suitable Youth Work activity. In September 2021, the Wales Interim Youth Work Board’s final report made 14 recommendations to enhance and improve the Youth Work offer in Wales. Ceredigion County Council along with other local authorities in Wales have received additional funding from Welsh Government through the Youth Support Grant in support of Recommendation 12 which was ‘Welsh Government should increase the availability of youth work services through the medium of Welsh’. Voluntary youth groups and organisations in Ceredigion can apply for up to £20,000…

St John Ambulance Cymru are pleased to announce the appointment of three new trustees to support the charity to achieve its mission to enhance the health and wellbeing of communities in Wales. Gillian Knight, Rhys Jenkins and Professor Jean White CBE MStJ will serve a three year term, and alongside the rest of the Board, they will be responsible for ensuring that St John Ambulance Cymru is properly governed, financially stable and uses resources appropriately. Gillian Knight is a Nursing Officer at the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO), Welsh Government. Gill has worked in the Welsh NHS for…