Author: Rhys Gregory

All businesses in Wales will benefit from new rates support from the Welsh Government to help with the effects of rising costs. A package of support worth more than £460m over the next two financial years will be announced in the Welsh Government’s upcoming draft Budget. The package will provide a boost to businesses across Wales which are struggling to cope with the impacts of high inflation and surging energy costs. It operates in addition to permanent relief schemes from the Welsh Government which are already providing £240m of relief to ratepayers across Wales this year. The non-domestic rates multiplier…

Minister for Climate Change Julie James has arrived at COP15 biodiversity negotiations in Montreal, Canada, to influence a ‘game-changing’ Global Biodiversity Framework and sign her commitment to accelerate nature recovery in Wales. The Minister has high hopes that an ambitious deal will be reached by world leaders, to ‘halt the rapid decline of our natural world that threatens all life on planet earth as we now know it’. Wales jump-started its commitment to reach the proposed ‘30 by 30 target’ included in the deal- to protect and effectively manage 30% land and 30% seas by 2030- with the commissioning of…

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is one of the most zealous market regulators in the world. Loan firms, investment funds, banks and Forex brokers which hold FCA licenses are held in high esteem. What makes them so trustworthy is the long-standing practice of the regulator to heavily penalize any lack of compliance. The fines it issues are very hefty, but are also definitely capable of curbing dangerous or malicious market practices.  In the first two weeks of December 2022, the regulator has continued this practice. It has fined three brokerages and three bond traders, which were found to be…

As a business owner, if you aren’t providing employees with education opportunities, now may be the time to reconsider your way of doing things. For today’s generation of workers, you’ll find employee education and development is high on their list, not to mention the desired benefits a business can offer. To get the best people working for your brand, you need to make sure your team are undertaking regular training programs and educational courses. Here are just some of the benefits of taking this step. Advance Their Careers There will be some staff in your business who have dreams of…

Climbing your way to financial freedom can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re starting from a place of financial instability. But with a few simple tips and tricks, you can start to make progress towards a more secure financial future.  Best ways to become a financially independent individual Here are some tips and tricks to adopt now to start your journey towards financial freedom: 1. Spend less than you make The most important rule of thumb when it comes to financial freedom is to always spend less than you make. This means making conscious decisions about what you…

His Majesty The King planted a rare sapling successfully grafted from the historic Pontfadog Oak in the grounds of Erddig in Wrexham, alongside the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford. The ancient Pontfadog Oak, which fell in a storm in 2013, stood at Cilcochwyn Farm, near Chirk, Wrexham, and was cared for by generations of the Williams family. It was thought to be one of the world’s largest and oldest oak trees. In 2013, The Crown Estate propagated the original Pontfadog Oak tree and planted a tree in Windsor Great Park.  A further five Pontfadog Oaks were then grafted from…

Four men are starting sentences totalling almost 50 years, after officers from Tarian, the regional organised crime team for southern Wales, dismantled their organised crime gang (OCG), supported by officers from South Wales Police. Detectives gathered a substantial amount of evidence of a large scale cocaine and heroin network dealing throughout Wales run by Nicholas Gale, 31, and his close associates. Gale used encrypted messaging platforms to speak to both his suppliers and customer base to organise the purchasing and supplying of drugs. He was supported by Spencer Perks, 42, and courier Jamie Christopher, 22. Jake Garland, 28, was customer…

Luxury pet brand Baker & Bray has been acquired by an ambitious entrepreneur set to refresh the sector with a committed focus on sustainability, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. Combining 25 years’ experience in the pet industry with a personal passion for environmental responsibility, Neil Taylor is set to take the business to new heights – aiming to become the largest European producer of sustainable pet products. With products made in Europe from recycled plastics and memory foam, second-life leather, and surplus textiles, Baker & Bray reduces pollution caused by single-use plastics, manufacturing, and transport…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to report the sale of Caergwrle Filling Station in Wrexham, North-East Wales, to Jets Trading Limited. Funding for the buyer’s purchase was secured through Christie Finance. Located on the A541, Caergwrle Filling Station is ideally situated on the main thoroughfare leading into Wrexham. The site operates under the Costcutter brand and comprises a convenience store and four double pump islands. The business has been run by the James family for 40 years and came to market as the current owner, Barry James is set to retire. His son, Mike James, who…

Pobl Group will spearhead the development of an exemplar, sustainable mixed-use community at a disused quarry near Pontyclun in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Wales-based not-for-profit has announced plans to bring forward a new neighbourhood of more than 400 high quality new homes and community facilities at the 22.07 hectare Hendy Quarry on the south side of Miskin. The mixed tenure development at the Tarmac site will include a significant proportion of affordable homes and will align with the latest Welsh Government thinking on sustainability, decarbonisation and creating positive health benefits. Hendy Quarry will be the first development in Wales that…