Author: Rhys Gregory

A Welsh bakery has risen stronger than ever from the ashes of a devastating fire –investing £115 million and creating 700 new jobs in just seven years. Jones Village Bakery’s flagship headquarters on Wrexham Industrial Estate was destroyed by the huge blaze in 2019 but the company has made an “astounding” comeback. Instead of folding, the firm rebuilt “bigger and better” with a new 140,000 sq ft bakery that’s three times the size of the one that burnt down – increasing the number of staff from 350 to 1,050 in the process. A further 100 jobs will be created when…

A £3 million transformation of a former Carmarthenshire care home has created 55 jobs with the launch of a luxury country hotel. Andrea and Tudur Williams have poured their hearts into turning the historic Y Seren (The Star) property in Llangunnor into a 23-bed boutique hotel and restaurant. The venture has been backed by award-winning Harlech Foodservice whose team is supporting the couple as the ambitious business gets off the ground. The redevelopment has written a new chapter for the landmark building which dates back to the 1890s. According to Andrea, the new hotel has got off to a flying…

Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow across Wales, with disruption possible from late Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. The warning is in place from 4pm on Wednesday 18 February until 6am on Thursday 19 February. Forecasters say a spell of rain and snow could move across parts of Wales later on Wednesday and continue overnight, bringing a risk of travel disruption and localised impacts. Snow accumulations of 2 to 5cm are possible quite widely above 150 to 200 metres. Higher ground above 250 to 300 metres in mid and south east Wales could see between 10…

With 87% of GPs reporting that they fear their rising workloads could impact patient safety, the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) says closing the safety gaps must be a priority for the next Welsh Government. In its Safer Care for Wales – manifesto for change released today [18 February 2026], the PSA (the UK’s healthcare regulation oversight body) urges those seeking office at the 2026 Senedd election on 7 May 2026 to focus on three areas for improving health and social care services in the country. These are: Tackling the health and care workforce crisis by…

The Prime Minister is set to formally endorse the Transport for Wales vision for the future of Welsh rail today [Wednesday 18 February] – agreeing that it should set the framework for their pipeline of projects and committing the UK Government to work with the Welsh Government to deliver this pipeline as quickly as possible. This investment will see the further transformation of Wales’ rail network, building on the Welsh Government’s £1.1bn in upgrading and electrifying the Core Valley Lines and £800m investment in a new rail fleet. Together, both governments will provide better and more frequent services for passengers…

Work is well under way on the new Hollywood Bowl in St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff city centre, with the first signs now up and people starting to spot the arrival of the entertainment venue. This marks a major step forward for the project, which is set to bring one of the UK’s largest family activity centres to the heart of the capital later this year. The new site will stretch across 45,000 square feet over two floors and include a mix of bowling, interactive games and other activities. Inside, there will be traditional ten-pin and duckpin bowling lanes,…

Fire crews will be carrying out training exercises at two locations in Cardiff on Wednesday 18 February. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that firefighters will be taking part in a planned exercise at the Wolfscastle Free House in Llanishen between 10am and 1pm. A second exercise will take place later in the evening at The SET Building on Penarth Road from 7pm onwards. Residents and motorists in the area are being advised not to be alarmed if they see emergency vehicles, fire crews or smoke. The activity is part of a scheduled training operation designed to ensure…

Michelle Deere, 53, from Bridgend has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison following her conviction for being concerned in the supply of cocaine. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Cardiff Crown Court, where Deere pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of amphetamines. The case stems from a South Wales Police investigation which started when officers from the organised crime unit were looking into drug supply coming from the Britannia Hotel in Pencoed. Following this investigation Deere was identified as potentially being involved in…

Police officers in North Wales stopped almost 50 drivers – including HGV and van drivers, over five days last week as part of an ongoing operation to protect motorists on the region’s busiest roads. Using an unmarked heavy goods vehicle, officers from the Roads Crime Unit took part in Op Tramline – a national roads policing operation using a HGV tractor unit provided by National Highways. The unit is regularly used by police forces across the country to carry out patrols across strategic road networks targeting all drivers including HG drivers and commercial vehicles. The elevated position of the HGV…

The Gŵyl Gymreig will be held on Thursday 26 February 2026 from 12pm to 4pm, bringing together families, local businesses and community organisations for an afternoon of music, learning and celebration. The event has been coordinated through the community benefits programme associated with the construction of the new Ysgol Iolo Morganwg building in Cowbridge. It aims to promote Welsh-medium education in the Western Vale, celebrate Welsh culture, and strengthen links with local businesses in Cowbridge. Designed to create a lively, marketplace-style atmosphere, the event will feature stalls from Cowbridge’s local businesses and representatives from the town’s popular farmers’ market. Visitors…