Author: Rhys Gregory

Electric vehicle consumers are set to benefit from lower energy bills and cheaper motoring thanks to a landmark plan to unlock the potential of smart electric vehicle charging. The Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan, published today (17 January) by the Government and Ofgem, sets out steps being taken to seize on the significant potential of smart charging and make it the preferred method of long duration charging by 2025. Smart charging harnesses the potential of energy use data and the latest energy innovations to deliver significant benefits for consumers, including allowing motorists to charge electric vehicles when electricity is…

A new Penderyn whisky visitor attraction and a state-of-the-art city centre office development with space for 600 tech workers are among the Swansea projects set for completion in 2023. Led by Swansea Council, the projects at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks and former Oceana nightclub sites are among those forming part of a £1bn city-wide regeneration programme that’s continuing at pace. They follow-on from major progress in 2022, which included the opening of Swansea Arena, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road and the coastal park. A £3m improvement of Wind Street was also completed, including new paving, seating and greenery, with…

A residents car parking discount scheme is set to be launched in Swansea to help provide lower parking charges for residents in the city. The plans are part of Swansea council proposals to introduce new parking charges for car parks in the city which will ensure they can be maintained in the coming years and the new discount scheme will mean residents of Swansea will get cheaper parking than those living outside the city at all car parks operated by the Council. The plans will mean an increase on the existing £2 all-day parking offer which was introduced to help…

A fresh milkshake vending machine business that made UK-wide headlines for innovation during the pandemic now has a new base in Swansea city centre. Run by Hendy-based Llaeth Beynon Dairy, the vending machines are located in the area of the former St David’s Shopping Centre towards the bottom of the new bridge over Oystermouth Road. Swansea Council has let the site to the business, pending the area’s regeneration in the longer term. Customers have the option of either milk or 12 flavours of milkshake, which can be poured in free takeaway cups or reusable glass bottles. It’s the third vending…

The new Hope House children’s hospice shop in Wrexham will be opening this month with the charity asking for potential volunteers and or those with donations to come forward. The new shop at Island Green will officially open on Saturday 21st January at 10am, with the old shop on Charles Street closing. There will be some special guests to open the shop and there will be goodie bags and balloons handed out, along with a mystery prize for the shop’s 100th customer. Shop manager Becky Hemmings said:  “We are delighted to be able to open our Island Green shop in…

BUSINESSPEOPLE have their houses in order after completing a prestigious leadership programme. Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was among the first to pay tribute to 26 delegates graduating from the ION Leadership ILM Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications at Bangor University this week. Previously MP for Buckingham and now a Professor of Politics and author, he congratulated attendees at the University’s Reichel Hall in his own inimitable style. “Order! Order! ION Leadership graduates, congratulations on all your hard work in completing the programme,” said Mr Bercow. “I am proud to hear of what you’ve achieved,…

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 52.0 in December, up from 49.8 in November. The latest data signalled a modest uptick in business activity across the Welsh private sector at the end of the year. The rise in output was the fastest since June, with companies linking the expansion to greater client demand and a renewed increase in new business. Welsh firms were the best performing of the 12 monitored UK areas and bucked the wider…

Mr Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, visited Ysgol Bro Pedr on Thursday, 12 January. The Minister was warmly welcomed by Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council; Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills; and Meinir Ebbsworth, Corporate Lead Officer for Schools and Culture. Also present was Ysgol Bro Pedr Head Teacher, Jane Wyn; Llinos Jones, Welsh Language Support Teacher and Llifon Ellis, Strategic Head of E-sgol. During the visit the Minister saw how the Foundation Phase pupils are developing their Welsh language skills. Mr Miles also observed…

Will Hughes is finding growing demand for his energy-efficient, innovative garden studios.  Launched two years ago to cater for the trend towards working from home, Conker Construction of Newport has gone from strength to strength finding customers around the UK.  The eco-studios aim at the highest levels of energy-efficiency, and are bespoke to the client’s requirements designed individually to suit the location and their specific needs.  “People want a space for an office, a gym, workshop or more accommodation, and can have any design and utilities they wish within the permitted development guidelines,” said Will. “The buildings are so well…

Cardiff’s multi-million pound investment in education, including new schools and improvements to existing school buildings, has been outlined in a new report published this week. The Annual Report onInvestment in the Education Estateprovides an update on the progress of investment across the city and next steps of future investment. Since 2012 Cardiff Council and Welsh Government have worked collaboratively to deliver a major, long-term and strategic, capital investment programme with the aim of creating a generation of excellent zero carbon learning facilities at the heart of the community. Band A of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Investment Programme (formerly known…