Author: Rhys Gregory

The Final Budget 2026-27 will provide £1.2bn more for people, public services and businesses across Wales than in this financial year. It makes £400m of new allocations since the Draft Budget was published in October. This includes £300m of revenue funding for local government and the NHS, secured through the budget agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. And a further £100m of revenue and capital funding, which will support Welsh Government priorities, including bus services, apprenticeships, further education, flood prevention, and the maintenance of school buildings. Every Welsh Government department will have at least the same level of…

Nathaniel Cars, a well-established, family-run automotive business founded and based in Bridgend, is set to significantly expand its operations with the support of a £1.5m funding package from NatWest and the remaining provided by Lombard. The funding from NatWest has facilitated the creation of a fifth site for Nathaniel Cars, the largest for the business, which will replace six previously rented storage facilities. The new 8-acre preparation site based just 2 miles away from the business’ headquarters in Bridgend will serve as the hub for all of Nathaniel Cars vehicles before being transported across the UK. This expansion includes plans…

A nine-year-old Swansea schoolboy has completed an inspirational 30-day running challenge, raising more than £2,000 for Kids Cancer Charity and capturing the hearts of the community. Osian Window, a pupil at Dunvant Primary School and a member of Dunvant RFC’s Under 10s, set out to run 1km every day for 30 days. What began as an ambitious goal soon grew into an extraordinary effort, with Osian clocking up over 100km in total – braving the winter elements to keep his promise. Osian completed his challenge on Saturday (January 17), finishing with a determined 5km run that saw him pass through…

Having rehomed over 890 dogs in 2025, Dogs Trust Cardiff is encouraging people from across South Wales to visit its rehoming centre to see how the charity can find potential adopters a four-legged friend, and to learn more about how Dogs Trust supports dog owners in the wider community.   Although only a few weeks into the year, Dogs Trust Cardiff has already rehomed its first dog of the year. Bron, the nine-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, found her forever home on 2nd January, after arriving in the charity’s care when her owner passed away. After a short stay in foster care, Bron found a loving forever home after just 30 days with the charity.  However, there are still many…

These images show the significant progress that has been made on site at Bellway’s Longwood Grange development in Lisvane, where more than half of the planned 270 homes have now been built. Residents have moved into all 144 completed properties at the development on the northern outskirts of Cardiff, while a further 14 homes currently under construction have been reserved. Bellway began construction work on the 26-acre site off Maerdy Lane in 2021 and is on track to finish the development by the summer of 2027. When completed, Longwood Grange will comprise 216 properties for private sale and 54 homes…

A seven-figure equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales has supported the management buy-out (MBO) of Cardiff-based DRAC Consulting, securing the future of the building services engineering consultancy, protecting 20 jobs, including three apprenticeships, and ensuring continuity for long-standing clients across Wales. The investment from the Development Bank’s Wales Business Succession Fund has enabled Lewis Doherty to take over as Managing Director from the company’s founding directors, marking the next chapter in a carefully planned transition, which has a family link. Lewis, who joined the business in 2015 as a junior electrical engineer, is the son of co-founder Carl…

Gavin Stewart, the man who has helped lead Cardiff city centre venue The Philharmonic to a record-breaking year has been promoted to area manager for Croeso Pubs Ltd. Gavin, who has 21 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, will help oversee Croeso’s nine venues, including popular Cardiff hotspot The Philharmonic, where he has been general manager for the last 12 months. Gavin began his career in the bar and nightlife industry and progressed into his first General Manager role in 2014, leading the iconic Flares venue in Cardiff. Since then, he has worked in many sport-led, food-led, social gaming and…

The undisputed prince of UK Garage Sammy Virji has announced an unmissable headline show in Cardiff this summer. Breakthrough artist Sammy – who has gone from delivering viral DJ Mag sets to pulling massive Coachella crowds – will bring the party to TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle on Saturday July 18. Sammy Virji is driving the evolution of UKG, as the genre takes the world by storm – again. His DJ Mag set from 2023 went viral, propelling him into a new level of fame, not without reason; not only is he a masterful selector, he does…

Hairdressing Lecturer Kelly Pasicznyk has been recognised on a national stage after securing a finalist position in the Educator of the Year category at the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2026, placing them among the UK’s most influential and forward-thinking hairdressing professionals. The shortlist highlights individuals who are shaping the future of the industry through strong leadership, commercial success and a commitment to excellence. With hundreds of entries reviewed by an expert judging panel, reaching finalist status marks a significant achievement and reflects the high calibre of talent within today’s hairdressing sector. Now in its 28th year, the British Hairdressing Business Awards have become…

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on the Cardigan bypass. Officers were called just after 1.05pm on Saturday 17 January to reports of a collision on the A487 northbound, near the junction with Caemorgan Road. The incident involved a Yamaha YZF R7 motorbike and a Volkswagen Transporter van. The rider of the motorbike was airlifted to hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No other injuries were reported. Officers from Cardigan, Crymych and Newcastle Emlyn Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and are urging anyone who may have seen what…