Author: Rhys Gregory

TWO directors are celebrating 25 years as business partners of a local opticians, helping care for the community’s eye and ear health. Kevin McCarthy and Sam Hodson, both 52, became directors of Specsavers Carmarthen in 1998. Originally from East Wales, they relocated to Carmarthen when they acquired the store. Now, the store employs 20 members of staff and has doubled the number of customers they see every week. In 2017, after almost 30 years on Hall Street, the store relocated to Merlin’s Walk shopping centre. The move saw them expand their offering to include audiology services as well as doubling…

Cardiff-based digital studio Rantmedia has announced a rebrand and relaunch to Rant, as part of an ambitious growth plan and its 20th anniversary this year. The rebrand for the agency, who’ve created and developed apps for partners such as the NHS, BBC, Veygo and Aston Martin, reflects the agency’s growth since its 2003 launch, with a focus on integrity, creativity, expertise and passion to reflect the latest brand vision. Over the past two years, the digital-studio has seen a 160% turnover growth, and added four new members to the board. The board includes Anton Faulconbridge as CEO, Danielle Llewellyn as…

RSPCA Cymru is renewing its warning about the dangers to wildlife of netting as figures reveal more than 100 incidents in Wales were reported to the charity last year. The problem shows no sign of abating in 2023 – with charity’s animal rescuers called to an incident last month following a call from concerned members of the public after a gull was seen trapped by roof netting. Of all wild mammals, foxes and hedgehogs are the most likely to become tangled in netting. In 2022, the RSPCA took a total 1,798 calls – with 105 these from Wales – relating…

Da, part of the Tramshed Tech community, soft launched to Tramshed Tech members and One Central Square tenants in March of this year. Following a successful internal debut, Da has officially opened its doors to the public with a range of locally sourced and internationally inspired food and drinks on offer.  The new coffee shop can be accessed directly through One Central Square or through a new dedicated entrance found to the right of the building. A unique breakfast and lunch menu is available to eat in or take away, as well as meal deals, coffee and cake offers, corporate catering and coffee subscriptions.  Opening hours are 7.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday with plans to extend opening hours to include evenings and weekends later this year. The venue can…

A potential new treatment for schizophrenia developed by Cardiff University’s Medicines Discovery Institute has successfully completed the first phase (single ascending dose) of a Phase 1 clinical trial. The drug – MDI-26478 – is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor, believed to play a key role in brain health. Cognitive decline is a core element of schizophrenia and current treatments fail to treat this effectively. The Cardiff team expects MDI-26478 to enhance cognitive performance, focused initially on schizophrenia. The drug has been invented by the MDI team and this study marks a major milestone, completing the ‘bench to…

A new grant scheme to help build cohesive and resilient communities has been launched. Community groups and third sector organisations across Cardiff are invited to apply for funding up to £2,000 to support schemes and initiatives that highlight and celebrate the diversity of communities across the city. Funding can be used for a range of purposes, including holding events and activities, producing supportive literature or building capacity within a community. Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Equality and Public Health (Public Health & Equalities) Cllr Julie Sangani, said: “We’re looking for schemes that focus on bringing communities together and are encouraging…

Pembrokeshire County Council has closed Narberth Castle while safety checks are carried out. A Dangerous Structure report was filed with Building Control earlier this week after fallen stone work was found on the ground and inspection carried out. To protect the safety of pedestrians and members of the public the area has been closed temporarily. The level of repairs required will be established by the Local Authority Conservation Officer and Structural Engineer before the Castle is made safe and re-opened as soon as practically possible. Officers will consult with Cadw before any repairs commence. Head of Planning Nicola Gandy said:…

Residents are advised that resurfacing work will take place at Park Street, Treforest – scheduled on two Sundays (June 18 and 25) to minimise disruption. A road closure is required on both days of work, between Park Street’s junction with Castle Street to a point near the Premier Store. The work will take place in the daytime on both Sunday, June 18, and Sunday, June 25 – with the road closure in effect from 9am to 4pm on each day. An alternative route for motorists is available via Castle Street, Forest Road, Park Street, Llantwit Road, Tonteg Road, Upper Boat…

Wales’ national contemporary art collection will be displayed in communities across the country under new plans. Establishing a National Contemporary Art Gallery is a key commitment of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru. The plans include: A network of galleries across Wales that will provide increased access to the national collection and bring contemporary art closer to communities. Host Galleries, Amgueddfa Cymru and National Library of Wales, will continue to hold and display Wales’ national art collection. An Anchor Gallery that will provide a prominent public face for the national contemporary art gallery.…

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 49.4 in May, down from 51.1 in April. The latest data signalled a renewed contraction in output, bringing to an end a three-month sequence of expansion. Of the 12 monitored UK areas, Welsh firms were alone in registering lower business activity. The decrease was only marginal overall, however. Companies noted that the fall was due to a slower rise in new orders. Welsh private sector firms recorded a third successive…