Author: Rhys Gregory

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget [Wednesday 15 March], Wales’ Finance Minister has said the UK Government must maintain the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and take targeted, decisive action to ease the worsening financial challenges many people and businesses are experiencing as the cost-of-living crisis continues. Rebecca Evans said: “The UK Government’s Spring Budget is being delivered in the face of the continuing cost-of living crisis, with energy and food prices remaining high. “The Chancellor has the powers to make better use of his welfare and tax levers, as well as room in the public purse, to ease the challenges…

Cardiff City and Swansea City were both left frustrated after suffering defeats at the weekend. Taken in isolation, losing to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough shouldn’t ring too many alarm bells, but Swansea have now collected just one point from their last five games, as fans start to get restless at the ongoing struggles. For Cardiff, the gradual climb away from the drop zone is temporarily put on hold, although some solace can be found in all three of the teams below also failing to pick up any points.  Huddersfield, Wigan and Blackpool therefore remain odds-on for relegation, according to UK betting sites,…

A CAMPAIGN to support the health and wellbeing of young carers is growing in momentum following a “significant increase” in the number supporting a family member for more than 50 hours a week and the devastating impact of the cost-of living-crisis. Ahead of Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday (March 15), Credu is calling on schools, colleges, health bodies and communities to show more awareness and create opportunities for the thousands of carers across the country looking after a loved one. Organised by Carers Trust, the Action Day wants people to ‘Make Time for Young Carers’, including the 1,400+ identified…

A group of mates from Merthyr Tydfil, who created their National Lottery syndicate while at college doing their apprenticeships, are celebrating a National Lottery windfall of £1,000,000 from the special EuroMillions European Millionaire Maker draw on 3 February. The Apprentices syndicate, which includes Alex Gwynne (28), Dan Phillips (25) and Kyle Bowen (25), started playing six years ago when a group in the year above them at Coleg y Cymoedd won £5,000 on The National Lottery. Their lecturer at the time joked that the lads should start their own syndicate which they promptly did, and they have been playing ever since. Syndicate…

PureGym, the UK’s largest gym operator, is delighted to be bringing flexible, affordable fitness to Caerphilly and opening a new gym at 12pm on the 31st of March! The brand new gym will offer PureGym’s low-cost, zero-contract memberships to the people of Caerphilly and surrounding areas, allowing more people in Wales to use the UK’s favourite gym. Located in Gallagher Retail Park, nearby to Tesco and Aldi, the 24/7 gym will be spread across c. 12,000 sq. ft. and equipped for every workout need with: 220+ pieces of state-of-the-art equipment A functional zone, free weights area, fixed resistance, cardio equipment,…

Six new affordable homes near Swansea have been completed and officially handed over to local housing association Caredig. Homebuilder Bellway is building 184 new homes at its Parc Mawr development off Brynrhos Crescent in Penllergaer. They are divided into 147 properties for private sale and 37 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. In January, the first six affordable homes were finished and handed over to Swansea-based Caredig, a registered social landlord. The new homes are already occupied for rent or shared ownership by local people. Sales Manager for Bellway Wales, Rhodri Davies, said: “Providing affordable properties to people who…

The five zones and five zone sponsors for the Swansea Conference have been announced. The conference, which takes place at Swansea Arena on March 29, unites local businesses, organisations and individuals who are making change happen in the Swansea region. The event is free to attend. It will include updates and key announcements on current and planned initiatives to make Swansea a better place to live, work, holiday and do business in. Last year’s conference, also held at Swansea Arena, attracted over 120 exhibitors and over 2500 delegates. This year’s conference looks set to exceed those figures. The Arena will…

Top 100 Law Firm Hugh James has strengthened its financial planning services with the appointment of David Hulse in the role of Head of Financial Planning. David brings 19-years’ experience across asset management and financial services to the team. He joins from Portfolio Financial Consultancy, where he focused on asset management services for high-net-worth clients, charities and commercial partners. A qualified financial planner, David has held management positions and senior financial planning roles in high street banks such as NatWest, Lloyds and the Principality Building Society, working with personal and corporate clients. As Head of Hugh James’ Financial Planning department,…

A top Welsh food distribution company is reporting record sales of £600,000 and crowds of over 2,500 at its biggest ever food expo event. Harlech Foodservice’s annual two-day trade expo smashed last year’s figures – the first since 2019 because of the pandemic – with the 120 exhibitor stands at the high profile event at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru another record. They came to see – and taste – over 1,000 products being showcased by Harlech which celebrated its 50thanniversary last year and to enjoy cookery demonstrations including by Wales’s own BBQ expert, Caernarfon’s S4C star, Flamebaster Chris Roberts. Exhibitors included…

A fast growing bakery is set to more than triple the amount it exports. Overseas sales at the Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham are due to increase from £1.5 million last year to £5 million in 2023. The family firm’s award-winning products are already staple lines for most of the best known supermarkets in the UK. The company, which has several bakeries on Wrexham Industrial Estate and another in Minera on the outskirts of the town, employs 800 people. According to managing director Robin Jones, they are now reaping the rewards of a major investment programme over recent years. Two…