Author: Rhys Gregory

The wait is almost over for Cardiff’s newest entertainment destination, with Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff at St David’s officially opening its doors on 20 July. The new venue will become Hollywood Bowl’s second location in the Welsh capital, joining its existing site at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, but will be the company’s first ever XL concept, bringing together multiple entertainment experiences under one roof. Construction has been progressing rapidly, with newly released images offering a first look at the venue’s electric go karting track as work continues ahead of the grand opening. Located across two floors at…

Cardiff Bay Family Fun Park is set to return this summer, bringing six weeks of rides, attractions and free family entertainment to the heart of the capital. The popular attraction will be open from 18 July until 31 August at Roald Dahl Plass, between Mermaid Quay and the Wales Millennium Centre, with final preparations now underway ahead of its opening. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of funfair rides and attractions throughout the school summer holidays. Thrill seekers can take on favourites including the Dodgems, Fun House, Runaway Train, Water Walkers and more, while younger children will find plenty of…

CAMRA has welcomed plans for a new Community Right to Buy scheme in Wales, describing the proposal as a potential “gamechanger” for communities trying to save their local pubs. The announcement was made by First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in the Senedd on 14 July, as part of the Welsh Government’s first phase of legislation. Under the proposed scheme, eligible community groups will be able to nominate and register valuable community assets and will be given the right of first refusal if the owners decide to sell, helping to keep important local facilities in community hands. A similar law has…

hree Fashion Business & Marketing students who are graduating from the University of South Wales this week have secured their dream jobs at NEXT. Molly Welling, Rosie Johnson and Gabriel Davies are all about to start their careers through the NEXT graduate scheme, straight after completing their studies at USW. Molly and Rosie will be trainee buyers for the retail giant, while Gabriel will be a trainee merchandiser, based at the NEXT head office in Leicester – thanks to a successful partnership with USW’s Careers department and the Fashion team. Molly, 21, from Pontypridd, chose the Fashion Business & Marketing…

Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show can look forward to four days of expert talks, live demonstrations and hands-on workshops as the Horticulture Village returns with its most diverse programme to date. Now in its third year, the Horticulture Village has become one of the Show’s most vibrant attractions, bringing together gardening enthusiasts, growers, industry experts and families to celebrate all aspects of horticulture. Located on Avenue A between Entrances A and M, the village will once again showcase a variety of competition entries alongside inspiring displays, interactive exhibits and opportunities to learn from some of the UK’s leading horticultural…

Castle Dairies has announced that it will be the new title sponsor of the Cardiff Devils for the 2026/27 season, marking the beginning of a partnership between the two Welsh organisations which both hold deep roots within their local communities. The partnership forms part of Castle Dairies’ 60th anniversary celebrations and reflects the business’s continued progression, ambition and commitment to supporting Welsh success stories. As title sponsor, Castle Dairies will feature prominently throughout the season, with the brand’s logo taking centre ice at the Cardiff Devils’ home, Vindico Arena, in the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay as well as…

The British Business Bank and the Development Bank of Wales have agreed a joint sponsorship at the inaugural Defence, Security and Resilience Cymru (DSR-Cymru) conference. Taking place at ICC Wales in Newport on 3–4 September 2026, the conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 60 exhibitors, bringing together companies, government and finance providers operating across a market that is seeing sustained public and private investment. The Development Bank and British Business Bank will support the ‘Meet the Investor’ element of the programme, which is being developed to connect businesses with funders and investors active in the…

A family-run cattle farm in Carmarthenshire is opening its gates to visitors for the first time after launching a new holiday accommodation business that combines farming with hands-on rural experiences. Carnau Mawr Holiday Cottages, based at Brynawelon, Carmarthenshire, has developed two high-quality three-bedroom holiday lets, creating a new income stream alongside its existing beef farming operation. A £150,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, provided through the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, supported the completion of the project and the launch of the accommodation offering. Owned by Robert and Emily Currell, the farm combines a working agricultural business with a…

The enabling works to transform Callaghan Square as part of the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail will continue into the next phase on 24 July to ensure a new tram-train route can be built between Cardiff Central Railway Station and Cardiff Bay.Vital works to divert utilities beneath the carriageway are ongoing, including the relocation of a high-pressure gas main, and motorists are being advised to choose alternative routes while the works take place. As part of the next phase, the current lane restrictions will remain in place, while a section of Bute Street between Maria Street and North Church Street…

A fund that has already provided more than £250,000 to grassroots music venues across Cardiff has reopened for a new round of applications. Part of Cardiff Council’s Music City strategy, the Grassroots Venues Fund supports existing venues by helping them become more financially and environmentally sustainable. Since launching, the fund has supported 20 venues across the city, including Clwb Ifor Bach, Porters, Chapter Arts Centre, Paradise Garden, Acapela, Tiny Rebel and The Canopi, enabling them to make improvements and purchase essential new equipment. Fuel Rock Club on Womanby Street is among the venues to have benefited from the scheme. Rob…