Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans for a £590 million tidal lagoon in North Wales are forging ahead following two milestone developments. Mostyn SeaPower Ltd, a subsidiary of the Port of Mostyn, revealed they are  now going out to tender for review of the initial design and costings for the scheme that would create 300 construction jobs and employ 35 people during its operational life of over 100 years. They have also embarked  on a second year of ecological surveys of the priority species of fish, birds and mammals in the Dee Estuary. In addition, a review is being held into the layout and position…

Deals worth more than £500,000 were clinched at a two-day trade expo organised by a top Welsh food distribution company. Bumper crowds attended the Harlech Foodservice Food and Drink Expo which made a triumphant return after being cancelled last year because of Covid. Around 2,000 customers attended the high profile event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The Expo is one of the highlights of the catering calendar for food and drink producers and their trade customers across tourism, restaurants, pubs and cafes in North Wales, the North West and Midlands. Represented at the 100 stands were household names like Young’s…

A Barry-based property development and investment business has used a £400,000 funding package from HSBC UK to purchase and develop a derelict building, turning it into an extension of one of its existing hotels. PropertyIndex, established in 2012, used the HSBC UK funding package to facilitate the expansion of Mount Rooms Hotel, creating 14 new rooms and helping the hotel meet demand from customers. The recently completed expansion created five new jobs and is expected to increase turnover by 40 per cent. Chris Spiteri and Emma Ballson, co-directors of PropertyIndex, commented: “We’re delighted to reveal the brand new extension of…

Morgan Sindall Construction has successfully delivered the Pre-Construction phase for Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke following Pembrokeshire County Council’s approval of the planning application. The new Welsh medium primary will provide places for 210 pupils aged between 5 and 11, as well as a 30-place nursery provision and a Cylch Meithrin for children under the age of three. The tier one contractor is expected to start work in May 2022 subject to funding from Welsh Government and is planned to open in September 2023. The school will be located on the site of the old Pembroke School at Bush…

A new city centre activity space has opened for children and young people in St David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff. The Winter of Wellbeing Festival pop-up is part of a scheme by Child Friendly Cardiff to engage children, young people and families within the community, following on from the popular Summer of Smiles in the city. Open every day until Sunday March 27, the festival space is located next to the Apple Store at St David’s and will host a range of free drop-in workshops, crafts, games and activities for all ages from babies through to primary age children, teenagers and…

AN ACCLAIMED accountancy firm made a statement by opening new offices and taking on staff ahead of further expansion this summer. Salisbury’s Chartered Accountants has unveiled premises in Uxbridge Square, Menai Bridge, adding to its presence in St Asaph, Penmaenmawr and Ruthin. Director Aled Roberts says they, like so many organisations, faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic but are emerging in a stronger position than ever before thanks to the loyalty of clients, their hard-working staff, and partnerships across North Wales and beyond. The workforce looks set to grow to more than 30-strong before the end of the year and…

A new creative hub is being developed in Swansea to help local artists and creative industries come together to learn skills that make best use of digital platforms taking shape in the city centre. Funded by Swansea Council and Creative Wales – a Welsh Government initiative to promote the Creative Industries – the Swansea hub is one of three such cultural hubs in Wales. Acting as a creative network that will assist the professional development of those who get involved, the creative hub will support South West Wales as a whole. Based on a pop-up idea to make the most…

Welsh rugby legend Stuart Davies has teamed up with a host of well-known Welsh figures including former First Minister Carwyn Jones to launch a new training offering as part of his growing business consultancy. The unique offering is able to draw on the skills of a stable of high-profile associates who come together to deliver a range of knowledge transfer masterclasses, based on the experience and expertise gained during successful and varied careers at the top of their professions. The associates are drawn from backgrounds in business, government, military, police, sport and third sector organisations. They include former First Minister…

A new campaign hopes to set Cardiff on the path to becoming one of the UK’s most sustainable food places. Food Cardiff, a city-wide partnership of more than 200 individuals and organisations – is asking people from all walks of life to ‘make a pledge’ and take action, to help Cardiff achieve Gold Sustainable Food Places status by the year 2024 .It is hoped that the pledges will empower Cardiffians to create a thriving local food economy, where everyone has access to food that is both healthy, and environmentally sustainable. A Sustainable Food Place Last year, Cardiff was awarded Silver Sustainable Food…

A multi-award winning programme which transforms school playgrounds into vibrant outdoor fruit and vegetable gardens, has been officially launched in Cardiff. Cardiff Council in partnership with environmental charity Trees for Cities (TfC), has so far delivered15Edible Playgrounds to schools across the city with the aim of getting children excited about growing and eating healthy food, whilst providing valuable outdoor learning resources. Hosted by Glan-yr-Afon Primary School in Llanrumney, the project was officially launched yesterday by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, alongside TfC Chief Executive, David Elliot, and Director of Grow Cardiff, Isla Horton.…