Author: Rhys Gregory

Office take-up in Cardiff reached 214,708 sq ft, the highest half year take-up since 2016, and 133.6% above H1 2021, according to international real estate advisor Savills. The most prominent deals this year included the 65,000 sq. ft. letting to BT at 3 Capital Quarter, the largest letting in Q1, and Roku taking 25,845 sq. ft. at One Fusion Point in Q2. The city centre accounted for 90% of take up in the first half of the year. Availability is, however, at the highest level for over 20 years at 1.65m sq. ft., although this is anticipated to reduce by…

A multi-million pound, luxury glamping resort focused on the health and wellbeing of its ‘staycationing’ guests has opened its doors at a beautiful Mid Wales location. Overlooking the picturesque upper Severn Valley at Caersws, near Newtown, Love2Stay Mid Wales aims to make visitors feel totally in harmony with nature by helping them to relax and unwind in the peaceful location. The £7.5 million resort, which is being developed in three phases, has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam and treatment rooms, well-equipped fitness suite, reception area, coffee shop and outdoor beach area as its centrepiece. The first phase of development…

A group helping to address the cost-of-living crisis by providing baby essentials to struggling families in Bridgend has received a cash boost from a leading Welsh housebuilder. Splice Child and Family Project has secured a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes West Wales. The group provides a baby bank service for families in need, supplying essential items such as baby formula, nappies, wipes, food and toiletries. The gift comes through the Persimmon’s long-running Community Champions campaign. Each month the housebuilder donates up to £64,000 to good causes across Great Britain, including up to £4,000 in Wales. Tracey Morgan, of Splice Child…

The London Cocktail Club have kicked off the party in Cardiff. On the 7th July they opened their brand-new venue at 75 St Mary Street with an incredible launch party. The award-winning bar has come over from London and is putting the P in Party, as Cardiff is graced with world class cocktails, crazy bartenders, and an all-round cracking night out. To launch the new venue with a bang, The Cocktail Club, of course, had to show us what they do best – throw an incredible party…it would be rude not to. The night was filled with fun, fierce tunes,…

Outdoor lifestyle pioneer and staycation retreat favourite – fforest – will open its first hotel across two Grade II listed former warehouses this August. Alive with historical treasures, the hotel is themed around Cardigan’s maritime past and the local legend of the brig, Albion, which sailed 180 passengers from Cardigan to Canada in 1819. The hotel will provide a permanent legacy of that voyage and the spirit and endeavour of those aboard. Located in West Wales, in the increasingly popular town of choice for creatives and laid-back living – Cardigan – The Albion sits directly on the River Teifi waterfront.…

Eccentric Spirits, distilled at award-winning Ceredigion distillery, In The Welsh Wind, has launched its first Welsh vodka product,  Cardi Bay Vodka. From the label to the tasting notes, this Welsh flavoured vodka is inspired by the gorse which grows along the Ceredigion coastline, with a flavour profile infused with hints of coconut and vanilla. Cardi Bay Vodka was launched at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show recently and received hugely positive feedback from showgoers. Ellen Wakelam, co-founder and director of In The Welsh Wind Distillery which makes the Eccentric Spirit range, said: “After releasing our Black Batch Rum into our Eccentric…

First Minister Mark Drakeford praised a new community and visitor centre and the enthusiasm and commitment of the people behind it during a visit to Newtown on Tuesday. Describing Hafan Yr Afon as a “striking, landmark building”, Mr Drakeford said he was impressed by its riverside, town centre location and the use of quality, sustainable materials in its construction. The new centre, located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, forms an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces. Hafan Yr Afon, which is due to open to the public later this month, has…

Studying wellbeing science as part of their courses could be a key way of improving how today’s students cope with the barrage of stressors they face, according to research. Students are a high-risk population for mental ill-health and face increasing academic demands, high levels of loneliness and sustained financial pressures, which can adversely impact on mental health. Now a Swansea University team have taken a closer look at just what impact an optional wellbeing science module offered to undergraduates would have on students’ wellbeing. The research, by Professor Andrew Kemp and his co-authors consultant clinical psychologist Dr Zoe Fisher, of the University’s Health…

Get Connected Rali Ceredigion has become the first UK rally to offset the emissions associated with the entire competitive field by partnering with Carbon Positive Motorsport. Carbon Positive Motorsport is a market leader in the provision of carbon offset programmes for motorsport events which ties in nicely with Get Connected Rali Ceredigion’s mission to promote sustainability in motorsport and create a long-term legacy of environmental improvement. To ensure the rally runs in the most sustainable way possible, organisers had no hesitation in introducing a range of initiatives to increase the event’s environmental credentials and neutralise its carbon footprint in a…

As part of our staycation series, we’re off to explore Longleat Safari Park and stay at one of their exclusive onsite accommodation locations. Ever since the pandemic put our holiday plans on hold, we have been debating whether or not we go abroad this year or stay a little closer to home. The chaos at the airports is enough to put anyone off, but along with the weakening of the pound against the euro and dollar, and the uncertainty of covid, we decided not to book flights this year. In comparison, Longleat is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from…