Author: Rhys Gregory

A project to convert surplus food into ready meals, a study exploring how vertical farms utilising controlled agricultural environments could re-localise food production, and a project to grow fruit and vegetables by retrofitting aeroponic technology into redundant buildings have been awarded feasibility funding from a £2.1 million sustainable food production challenge. The challenge, which is a partnership between Cardiff Council, Monmouthshire County Council, the Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund, Welsh Government, and the SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) Centre of Excellence, aims to identify and support projects that can harness the potential of land, technology, and people to increase the sustainable…

Community sports facilities in Llandaff Fields are set to be transformed, with a new Padel Tennis centre, new café and community space, the resurfacing of the tennis courts, the development of a community tennis facility for all ages and abilities, the installation of cricket practice nets and, subject to funding, a new permanent clubhouse for Llandaff Cricket Club. Cardiff Council are in the process of drawing up lease arrangements with the cricket club, Tennis Wales and Padeltastic Ltd following an ‘expressions of interest’ exercise aimed at securing investment in the existing facilities, bringing new recreational and sporting opportunities to the…

Neath Port Talbot Council has agreed terms, subject to Planning Permission being secured, for a new retail development on the former Burrows Yard site at Aberavon, Port Talbot. While there remains a lot of work to be undertaken, it is hoped the development on the site of what was formerly a council depot and petrol station, will now help regenerate the local area. The council has been negotiating the disposal of the land to supermarket chain Aldi for use a food retail superstore. Also, the council plans to construct another retail unit on its retained land, which is to be…

Views are wanted on a plan to help reach a goal for South West Wales to become a more enterprising, ambitious and carbon-friendly region by 2035. The draft corporate plan developed by the Corporate Joint Committee for South West Wales sets out a vision for the region along with measures to best realise it in the coming years. Among the measures are the production of regional transport and strategic development plans to better connect the region’s communities and maximise the potential of regional growth opportunities to leave a long-term legacy for future generations. The delivery of regional energy and economic…

Weekend cold water swims at the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, return next month. The Lido team have confirmed cold water swim will return on Saturday, February 4, with three sessions a day on Saturdays and Sundays for an initial period of four weeks, up to February 26th. The cold water swims return after a successful trial held at the end of last year, when swimmers enjoyed dips in the two main Lido Ponty pools, with water temperatures set at 15 degrees. Everyone who attended said they would like to come back and most said they would prefer shorter…

New research, commissioned by Stop Loan Sharks Wales and The Welsh Government, confirms fears that current financial hardships may drive more people in Wales to borrow from illegal money lenders, more commonly known as loan sharks. 38% say they are more likely to need to borrow money or credit this year to cover everyday costs 50% of those borrowing needed funds for everyday living expenses; of those, 66% for food and 53% to cover energy bills 18-34s are most susceptible to targeting by illegal money lenders. The research, which is the first of its kind in Wales, highlights the grim…

Following an initial piece of work that identified a need to develop additional employment sites across the region, further work has been completed to scope a proposed Growth Deal Sites and Premises Programme. Growing Mid Wales are now looking to develop a business case for this investment, implementing sustainable development projects that will help meet the identified local market demand for employment premises. A programme board has already been established to oversee development and delivery of the Programme, and dedicated Growth Deal resources are in place to drive this forward. Over the coming months real estate advisers, Savills, will be…

ealth Minister Eluned Morgan has today announced more than £86 million for new cancer treatment facilities, equipment, and software. The investment is part of a long-term programme in southeast Wales to transform how cancer services are delivered. It marks a major milestone in transforming cancer treatment across the region and brings care closer to patients’ homes. More than £48 million is being invested in state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment, replacing the linear accelerator fleet located at Velindre Cancer Centre. Eight of these machines will be replaced at the centre in Whitchurch, Cardiff – and two more will be housed at a brand…

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has officially opened a new production facility at the Pudding Compartment in Flint, which has benefited from Welsh Government funding. Established by Steve West in 2007, and based on the Manor Industrial Estate, the Pudding Compartment produces a range of bakery products such as tray bakes, cookies, grab and go and loaf cakes. The company’s new facility means the business has more than doubled its production area and invested in new equipment. The Pudding Compartment has received more than £100,000 from Welsh Government’s Food Business Investment Scheme to support the project. The company supplies its…

PERi-PERi fans rejoice! Nando’s has announced the opening date of its new Swansea Morfa restaurant. The iconic chicken chain will be opening its doors and firing up the grills for fans from 1st February 2023. Located in Morfa Retail Park right next to Swansea City stadium, the new restaurant will be Nando’s second branch in Swansea. Seating up to 118 indoors, and 12 outside for those that enjoy their PERi-PERi alfresco – flavour fans will also be able to order Delivery and Collect options to enjoy at home.   From artwork to lighting design and furnishings, Nando’s strives to continually work…