Author: Rhys Gregory

Business confidence in Wales fell 33 points during February to 1% according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 28 points at 15%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 39% points to -13%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 1%. Businesses in Wales identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offer (39%), introducing new technology (33%) and investing in their team (32%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 15% of businesses in the region…

STAFF members at an Aberdare opticians have completed a 10k run in aid of a local charity. The Specsavers store, located at 20b Victoria Square, decided to take on the challenge to support Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, raising a total of £718 as a result. The money raised will help Velindre purchase a proton beam machine. Proton beam therapy is a highly-targeted type of radiotherapy that can treat hard-to-reach cancers, such as spinal tumours, with a lower risk of damaging the surrounding tissue and causing side effects. Victoria Williams, a 39-year-old optical assistant at Specsavers Aberdare, was diagnosed with…

Zero Carbon Llanidloes in Wales has been awarded £21,804 by The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) through our “Supporting Rural Communities” grant programme. The UK-wide charity, which works to create a real future for rural Britain, supports projects that make a difference in rural communities across the UK, providing grants of up to £25,000 over two years. Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “Our grants help bring ideas and projects to fruition which are developed by those who live and work in rural communities and that really matter to them. The PCF’s funding supports amazing people who…

One of Wales’s most high-profile black entrepreneurs will headline a special event at the House of Lords in March dedicated to female empowerment, featuring high-profile speakers including author and businesswoman Alison Edgar MBE; Durdana Ansari OBE, Hon Captain of the Royal Navy; and Lady Anne Welsh, CEO of Painless Universe. Bernie Davies has launched the two-day event, called Women Mastering Change, on the back of the successful ‘Your Way Empowerment Series’, launched in January 2022, as a LinkedIn Live monthly event. The series was designed to offer a platform for likeminded women of any race, colour or creed to share…

isney’s critically acclaimed Broadway and West End musical Aladdin will fly into Cardiff for Christmas this year, visiting Wales Millennium Centre on its first ever UK and Ireland tour.  Experience the timeless story of Disney’s Aladdin, a thrilling production filled with unforgettable magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle! Don’t miss this extraordinary theatrical event already seen by over 14 million people worldwide, where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights”, this smash-hit musical is brought to theatrical life in a unique and dazzling way. The…

The Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council have completed the sale of land to a Pembrokeshire-based company for the development of a new milk-processing facility in the county, as part of a multi-million-pound investment. Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd. (PCL) has acquired a development plot at Pembrokeshire Food Park, bringing with it £17m investment and the creation of 80 new jobs over the next three years. The Pembrokeshire Food Park in Withybush, near Haverfordwest was established in 2021, following a £2m investment by the Welsh Government and £1m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, which was awarded to…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has announced that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will be put into special measures because of serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture. The Chair, Vice Chair and independent members of the Board have agreed they will step aside. New independent members will be appointed to the Board to lead the organisation as it continues to rebuild its services following the pandemic. Health and Social Services Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I have serious concerns around the performance of the health board and I have not seen the improvement in services I expect for the people of…

One of the most common dilemmas people face when trying to relax and unwind is deciding what movie to watch. The world of cinema is vast and ever-expanding, and with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to sift through them all. Fortunately, with the help of online movie rating services like ratersapp.com, the process of selecting the perfect movie has become much simpler. How to choose a movie to watch? To select a movie that meets your expectations, you need to consider several factors such as the genre, the director, the cast, the plot, and the reviews. However,…

One of the easiest ways to find cheap car insurance in the UK, is to shop around. At comparison sites like mustard.co.uk, you can compare a range of quotes from leading insurers in as little as five minutes. What’s more, at mustard.co.uk, you can also find handy guides and tips that can help ensure you get great value for money; including these top points to remember at renewal. 1) You must have car insurance to drive It’s stating the obvious but it’s important not to forget. Driving without insurance, whether you mean to or not can lead to severe penalties. If…

Despite the fact that advertising is no longer only targeting women with beauty and wellness products, men can still find themselves lacking a solid foundation of understanding when it comes to taking care of their skin, hair, and other aspects of their appearance. Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone, but men with hectic lifestyles tend to keep their grooming regimen short to save precious time. Fortunately, there are ways to take good care of your appearance without eating into your schedule. These tips will show you how. Give Yourself Time Although it was mentioned previously that you don’t need…