Author: Rhys Gregory

The latest boulangerie and coffee house by Ground Bakery is now open as a take-out service on High Street, Cowbridge . With sites already in Penarth and Pontcanna, this fast-growing business aims to bring a taste of French culture to the very best locations, with the new addition of the Cowbridge shop opening earlier in December. First launched by chef Thomas Simmons and his wife Lois along with investors including Welsh rugby international George North and Emma Owen Davies of Barford Owen Davies in Cardiff in June 2021, Ground Bakery is backed by the Development Bank of Wales with three…

Despite high inflation, rising energy prices and a tighter labour market, 29% of Welsh firms expect this Christmas trading period to be merry and bright compared to last year, according to the latest insight from the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer. Those predicting a bumper festive period cited increased demand (25%), while having more time to get ready for the season was cited by 20% of firms. Those expecting a worse Christmas trading period said they were struggling with increased costs of doing business (16%). Over half of businesses surveyed said that Christmas was important for their future prospects (58%), with…

North Wales social enterprise, Menter Môn has been supporting communities across Gwynedd and Anglesey to improve their green spaces to benefit local people and wildlife. So far six projects have benefited from support through the Môn a Menai project, with a further five recently approved. Support is available to deliver environmental improvements up to a value of £30,000 and to develop volunteer opportunites. Ultimately it is hoped that a total of 13 green space projects will benefit from the scheme. Support has also been provided for young people to gain work experience as part of the project – with the…

Karen’s Diner is coming to Spytty Road, Newport on 15th February, 2023. The diner which is the home of ‘great burgers and rude service’ currently has multiple stores across Australia and the UK, with the first US store just opened in St. Louis. Customers can expect plenty of sass, great food and a sprinkle of bad attitude. As Karen’s Diner goes, the food is great, the service ungrateful but your experience will be unforgettable. Don’t expect special treatment at this diner because it’s all about Karen, and she won’t be taking any of your nonsense! Come have some fun and…

The latest study into air pollution in Cardiff shows that residents enjoyed cleaner air across the city throughout 2021 when compared with pre-pandemic figures in 2019, a new report has revealed. The improvement in air quality during 2021 as reported in the Councils 2022 Annual Progress Report, was seen across the city and the data collected from monitoring stations showed that the council was compliant with all ‘limit vales’ for pollutants, which are set out in legislation. Air quality is monitored on an annual basis across a full 12-month period to ensure figures are representative across a full year. The…

Close to £27m has been invested in projects to help Swansea recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Projects forming part of Swansea Council’s economic recovery fund include grants to help local businesses improve the look of their properties, a pop-up energy advice centre giving tips to local residents, and the upgrading of many play areas across the city. A paid work placement and training project has also been introduced at the council, along with a resource to provide direct welfare benefits advice and guidance to residents. In total, the economic recovery fund has invested in 120 projects since the summer…

Neath Port Talbot councillors have approved a £4.2m programme of ‘clean-up and green up’ improvements to towns, valleys and villages over the next 18 months.​​​​​​ Members of the Environment and Regeneration Streetscene Cabinet Board gave the go ahead for the £4.2m additional works programme at their meeting on Friday, December 2nd, 2022. The programme will now see £200,000 spent on improvements at public toilets, £445,000 on cleanliness (involving new electric street vacuums and sweepers), £142,000 on improved grass mowing, £800,000 on improved playgrounds and green spaces and £300,000 on improved bus shelters. A further £344,000 will go on footbridge maintenance,…

Narberth Library is closed until further notice for essential building maintenance. Library members who currently have books on loan will not be charged any fines during the closure (their books will be automatically extended during this time). “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to library users,” said Mike Cavanagh, Head of Cultural Services. “The library is likely to be closed for a number of weeks until the work is completed. “We will keep customers updated on progress via our web pages and social media.” Library members are welcome to use other local libraries while Narberth is closed (membership automatically enables…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet has unanimously approved a new education strategy – ‘Pursuing excellence together’. The strategy was developed following a rigorous self-assessment process and consultation with key stakeholders, including staff and learners across educational settings. Included within the strategy are twelve key objectives for the next three years.  These include providing robust approaches to safeguarding, enhancing leadership, accelerating the progress of vulnerable learners, increasing attendance, and reducing exclusions, improving post-16 provision, and closing the attainment gap between learners from different backgrounds. Cllr Carol Andrews, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Communities, said “We recognise the impact of…

Monmouthshire County Council has taken another step forward in developing its proposals for a Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP). The Council agreed to publish its new Preferred Strategy for public consultation and engagement from 5th December 2022 to 30th January 2023. Comments are also invited on the Candidate Sites Register, which lists all of the sites put forward by landowners, developers and other groups for potential inclusion in the RLDP. The new strategy makes provision for up to 2,200 new homes by 2033 in addition to the 3,700 homes already in the pipeline or completed since 2018.  On new site…