Author: Rhys Gregory

With post-Christmas sales well underway, Cardiff city centre is set for a busy week as it welcomes in the New Year, with seasonal sales, a strong hospitality offering and festive experiences combining to keep the Welsh capital lively until January. It’s part of a UK-wide trend; footfall data from retail tech experts MRI Software showed strong performance for UK retail destinations (including Cardiff city centre) on Boxing Day with footfall up +4.4% year on year across the board; the strongest increase seen in over 10 years. The boost in activity was driven by a later peak in visits across all UK retail destinations from 5pm…

The family of a man who died in St Asaph on Christmas Day have paid tribute to him. Harry Turner was 68 years old and lived in St Asaph. His family have paid the following tribute to him: “Harry Turner was one of six siblings who, on leaving school had joined the Navy before working in London, Ireland, and his hometown of Rhyl. “Harry will be sadly missed by his family.” The police investigation into his death is ongoing, and anyone with information that could assist our enquiries should contact us, quoting reference 25001050086.

Creative Wales has celebrated a stellar year as productions backed by the Welsh Government dominated screens and awards ceremonies throughout 2025. Made in Wales success stories reached their pinnacle at the Emmy Awards in September, where two Creative Wales-supported productions took home prestigious accolades. Lost Boys and Fairies and Until I Kill You both received international recognition, showcasing the calibre of on-screen storytelling emerging from Wales. Many major productions continue to choose Wales, with both biographical drama Mr Burton and Netflix’s Havocbringing high-profile shoots to the nation, supporting local crews and facilities whilst highlighting Wales as a world-class filming destination.…

An investigation conducted by Shared Regulatory Services has concluded in the successful prosecution of Paul Xuereb, Samantha Xuereb, and Matthew Anderson for offences relating to illegal dog breeding, fraudulent trading, and unlawful provision of veterinary services. The defendants operated unlicensed dog breeding businesses in Cardiff, notably through Cardiff Canine Supplies Limited and Colour Coded Frenchies Fertility Clinic Ltd. Their activities involved the breeding and sale of hundreds of puppies over several years, deliberately evading animal licensing requirements. Investigations revealed systematic overbreeding and the use of substandard breeding stock, resulting in congenital defects. All defendants pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading in…

Gwynedd and Ynys Môn account for 18% of Employee Ownership Wales’ current companies, according to new research from the employee ownership (EO) support and advisory service. The region also accounts for 13% of all enquiries to the EO service in the past year. Currently, the team is working with a high number of businesses based in Gwynedd and Ynys Môn, who are looking to complete their transition to employee ownership by April 2026. In the region, jobs have been safeguarded thanks to those companies transitioning into employee ownership and keeping jobs in Gwynedd and Ynys Môn, rather than possibly being…

A leading Welsh housebuilder is predicting a strong housing market in Wales in 2026 after reporting a significant rise in enquiries and reservations following November’s Budget. Talbot Green based Llanmoor Homes says buyer confidence has begun to return after what it described as a “challenging” year for the housing market in 2025, driven by political and economic uncertainty. Tim Grey, Sales Director at Llanmoor Homes, said the past year had seen many potential buyers delay decisions amid concerns over the economy and possible tax changes. “While Llanmoor performed well and saw healthy visitor numbers across our developments, 2025 was undoubtedly…

A powerful international heritage project is underway, connecting Rhondda Cynon Taf to the legacy of the Spanish Civil War through newly uncovered historical links. On September 16, 2025, a heritage officer from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council – with a professional background in archaeology – travelled to Spain to take part in a collaborative research initiative with Porta de la Historia Co-operative, a historical association based in Spain. This collaboration has uncovered compelling new findings from the Spanish Civil War as part of an excavation project, revealing direct connections to Wales and to Rhondda Cynon Taf in particular. The visit was…

A man and woman from Swansea have been jailed after being caught dealing Class A drugs. 27-year-old Sion Harrison and 35-year-old Kelly Hopkins, both from Sandfields, Swansea, were seen in a vehicle which officers observed known drug users approaching on Tontine Street. When searched, Hopkins was found to have four wraps of heroin in her pocket. Suspected crack cocaine was found in the driver side door. A mobile phone was also found, which an investigation revealed both Harrison and Hopkins had been using to arrange drug deals via text and Facebook Messenger. Harrison pleaded guilty to being concerned in the…

Schoolchildren have helped create the name of a new primary school opening in September 2026. Millbrook and Monnow Primary Schools are amalgamating and pupils from both have been busy researching and working on a name for the new school. Following lots of hard work, the suggestions were whittled down to four before they all voted on their favourite. Lisa Bowden, currently head of Monnow who will lead the new school, said: ““The children are thrilled to announce the name of their new school as Pont Y Gamlas. The pupils played a key role in choosing the name, researching our local…

With further Welsh Government funding secured to extend and improve the active travel routes within the county, work on the schemes in Newtown and Llanidloes will begin in the new year. The latest Welsh Government Safe Routes in Communities and Active Travel funding, with support from Transport for Wales, will enable work to begin on the following two schemes from as early as January 2026: Newtown Dolfor Road Active Travel scheme This scheme will make improvements to the existing footway on Dolfor Road, between Plantation Lane and the railway bridge. The project will also install a road crossing to connect…