Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea Council is urging people aged 66 and over to check if they qualify for Pension Credit. Pension Credit gives extra help with living costs to people over state pension age and on a low income. People might get extra help if they are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, said: “The cost of living crisis is hitting us all and we know that there are pensioners in Swansea who are struggling to make ends meet yet are missing out on money that they are…

What’s known as the Milbourne Chambers building is a well-known sight in Merthyr Tydfil town centre — with its recognisable clocktower and central location. Despite having multiple occupants over the decades, the building is soon to begin a new chapter — with the arrival of Italian restaurant, Casa Bianca; the first eatery to occupy the space. The new venture has been made possible by an investment from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Placemaking scheme — delivered in conjunction with our dedicated town centre regeneration team at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and topped up by the business owner’s own investment.…

Work to introduce an improved walking and cycling route between Llanelwedd and Builth Wells will begin early next month (5 December). The route for the shared use path was identified and agreed during previous public consultations on the county’s Active Travel Network Maps. To be funded by the Welsh Government Safe Routes in Communities Grant, this scheme will mark the first phase of establishing an active travel route connecting Builth Wells and Llanelwedd, and the beginning of a local active travel network. Expected to be completed in approximately eight weeks, the scheme will consist of two safe highways crossings, one…

From Pembrokeshire to Barry Island, there are more amusement and theme parks in Wales than you may realise! The area is teeming with places to go and things to see, but if you want good, clean fun, it also has plenty in store. These amusement and theme parks are open all year, and if you want the kids (and adults) to have fun, we’ve got just the thing – and the best part is, they’re spread out all around Wales, so an hour’s drive (or less) will take you there. Here are the most popular theme parks in Wales today.…

In the latest of a series of lettings that form a key part of Schroders Capital’s strategic repositioning of Mermaid Quay, Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (‘SCREF’) has agreed a deal to bring Thai tapas chain Giggling Squid to the popular 150,000 sq ft mixed-use destination on Cardiff Bay’s waterfront. Giggling Squid will occupy a high-profile, 4,800 sq ft unit on the terrace level of the scheme, overlooking the recently refurbished central Tacoma Square and the Bay. The restaurant will be created by combining units previously occupied by Bayside Brasserie and Bellini’s Italian restaurants operated by independent restaurateur Babak…

New figures suggest that properties in Wales may be more likely to experience drastic price drops than elsewhere in the UK. According to Zoopla, Wales is particularly vulnerable to a fall in property prices due to the high level of growth seen in the last two years. Welsh properties have seen values rise by an average of 27 percent since the pandemic. Danny Luke, managing director of property buying company Quick Move Now, explains: “Figures suggest that Wales experienced greater property price growth than elsewhere in the UK. It is estimated that Welsh property prices have grown by an average…

Three men from Swansea who have already been convicted of drug trafficking and robbery offences, have had more than £6million worth of assets – including a Lamborghini sports car – confiscated during a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing. The hearing, the latest linked to the Operation Tilbury investigation, took place at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, November 18, and considered three men from Swansea, who were part of a county lines criminal gang which sold illegal drugs. They were jailed in 2021 for a total of 39 years and three months after a 15-month long investigation. Daniel Harris, 40, from…

Funding has been approved to transform a derelict former industrial site in Maesteg and make it suitable for mixed-use development featuring new homes, retail opportunities, business enterprise units and a railway park and ride facility. Vacant for more than a decade, the former Budelpack COSi and Cooper Standard site on Ewenny Road Industrial Estate has been awarded the grant by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR). The grant will tackle several major infrastructure and remediation works, such as diverting a historic mining drain and the backfilling of several mineshafts, which are necessary to make the site ready for the proposed development. While…

Cardiff Bay Barrage will be closed for two days to enable filming of popular Amazon Prime adventure series, Alex Rider to take place. During the closure, from 7am to 9pmon both Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December, adiversion for pedestrians and cyclists will be in place via Pont y Werin bridge. The Barrage route will not be accessible between the Penarth side and the Barrage café. The Barrage car park and fishing arm will also be closed to visitors during these times. The play area and skate park will be accessible, but only from the Cardiff Bay side of…

A popular city centre restaurant in Swansea has been fined for failing to dispose of its commercial waste properly. Bosses at Las Iguana’s in the Castle Quarter recently found themselves in front of Swansea Magistrates where they pleaded guilty to three offences of breaching a notice served under the Environmental Protection Act. All three offences relate to previous failures by the company to manage their commercial waste at the rear of their property. During visits by Swansea Council Waste Enforcement Officers, stretching back to July 2021, officers observed piles of black bags and cardboard spilling out of commercial wheelie bins…