Author: Rhys Gregory

Hollywood actor Rhys Ifans has recorded a special video to wish happy birthday to a “totally inspirational” arts centre at a former police station. The pioneering complex in the slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, that’s home to host of creative, cultural and media training projects, a cinema, a café bar and a hostel for visitors, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a concert on Friday, April 21. Originally, the appropriately named CellB also housed the local magistrates’ court and the cells for prisoners. In contrast, the centre is now freeing up the creative energy of young people from the area…

The two winning Freeport bids in Wales are expected to create 20,000 new, high-skilled jobs across a wide range of businesses, not just those with import and export operations, according to property consultancy Knight Frank. Celtic Freeport at Port Talbot and Anglesey Freeport at Milford Haven were the successful bidders announced last month and the new sites are set to attract an estimated £5 billion of investment. Claire Williams, Head of UK and European Industrial Research at Knight Frank, said: “Companies inside the tax sites will be offered temporary tax breaks including reductions to the tax companies pay on their…

A bakery is flying the flag for Wales as part of a major export drive to promote the nation’s food and drink around the world. Commercial officers from 15 different countries working for the UK Government in partnership with the Welsh Government  were “blown away” by a visit of the Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham. They included food specialists from international offices as far afield as South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belgium, Canada and America. The visit was organised by the Department for Business and Trade as part of a week-long UK tour, with the Village Bakery being one…

Ceredigion County Council is warning residents to be aware of an energy efficiency installer who has been using the Council’s logo without permission on social media. A Birmingham-based iEnergy Ltd company has been using the Council’s logo to promote the availability of grant funding for household energy efficiency measures through sponsored adverts on Facebook. The use of the logo by iEnergy wrongfully suggests that the Council has given endorsement and is in partnership with the installer. The Council has not given iEnergy Ltd. permission to use the Ceredigion County Council logo and does not endorse the services the company provides.…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Heathfields Residential Home in Bridgend, Wales. Established in 1986, Heathfields Residential Home is registered with the CIW to care for up to 22 adults with personal care and mental health needs. The business occupies an attractive and well-presented double-fronted, period property with a substantial two-storey extension to the rear as well as a converted two-storey coach house with additional office and administration rooms. The home is located in the county borough of Bridgend, South Wales, between Cardiff and Swansea. The home maintains a very high occupancy rate with…

A planned operation targeting several addresses across Cardiff has resulted in drugs being seized, two men being arrested, and eviction notices served on a number of properties. Other suspects are also under investigation because of evidence gathered during the operation. ‘Operation Sakaki’ drew together various specialist units and partner agencies. South Wales Police targeted houses in Caerau and Ely as part of the pre-planned operation which involved specially trained officers who were able to gain access using specialist equipment. Speaking about the success of the operation, Inspector Ben Davies said: “We understand how drug dealing not only ruins the lives…

The much loved kiosk at Swansea’s Victoria Park has reopened and its famous corned beef pie is still on the menu. The kiosk and small café is run by Swansea Council’s Work Development Service in partnership with CREST and provides supervised opportunities for adults to develop their skills and confidence to bring them closer to employment. Swansea Council’s Deputy Leader Andrea Lewis popped in to the kiosk this week to wish them well ahead of the opening. With a five star food hygiene rating and reasonably priced homemade food it is also a favourite with the public and council staff from…

Roxy Lanes Cardiff is set to open its new ten-pin bowling venue in the city this week. The latest Roxy Lanes site can be found on Queen Street in Cardiff city centre and is the brand’s first Welsh venue. Roxy Lanes is part of a growing trend of experience-led night outs, promising fun and excitement for groups and individuals. Customers are advised to book ahead if they want to guarantee their place on the games and activities, although walk-ins are always welcome. When you first enter the venue, there is a welcome desk displaying all of the available games and…

Small firms in rural areas face a unique set of challenges that will continue to stunt their growth, unless policymakers step in to make serious change, a new Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) report shows. The Growth Belt: Supporting Rural Small Businesses highlights the way rural businesses are struggling against a backdrop of mounting energy costs, poor transport links, and unreliable broadband. It also emphasises the diversity and ambition rural small firms have – and how rural areas hold enormous potential for businesses to thrive and contribute to the wider economy. The Government’s 10-point plan for rural productivity from 2015…

A leading civil engineering company has reached new heights of health and safety standards by landing a prestigious industry award.  Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been granted the order of distinction by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).  The Ruthin-headquartered company received the honour having achieved a 15th consecutive gold accolade.  The RoSPA health and safety awards are one of the most prestigious and recognised schemes in the world with almost 2,000 entries every year from 50 countries and a reach of more than seven million employees.  Winners are recognised for very low levels of error, injury,…