Author: Rhys Gregory

A report from eBay UK has revealed that 71% of Wales-based e-commerce businesses feel confident about business growth in the next 12 months, with 31% describing themselves as ‘very confident’. The Censuswide research, commissioned by eBay, polled 1,000 UK small businesses selling via online platforms to spotlight a new generation of entrepreneurs that are building full-time businesses on their own terms. A combined 63% said they felt excited (24%) or curious (39%) about the potential of AI, with a third (31%) using it to list products faster and more easily, 27% to experiment with new products or ideas and 27%…

Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will host clinics at Nationwide branches in Cwmbran, Llanelli, Colwyn Bay and Newport to offer tailored support and guidance to anyone affected by the condition Nationwide and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide branches in Wales this September, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of dementia. Hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, the clinics are open to anyone impacted by dementia, offering life-changing support to families and individuals in the area. Appointments can be booked via Dementia UK’s website. The clinics will offer…

Welsh scientists have mapped the hidden microbes thriving in south Wales’s abandoned coal mines, helping to overcome obstacles to using mine water to heat Britain’s homes. With an estimated one-quarter of UK properties located above abandoned coal mines, the potential for geothermal heating is vast. A pioneering heat exchange system set up in 2023 warms 350 homes and several businesses in Gateshead using naturally heated mine water. A larger project is underway in County Durham, where 1,500 homes will be heated entirely by this method. The groundwater in flooded former coal workings is heated by natural geothermal processes and is…

Sinfonia Cymru, Wales’ most exciting under 30’s orchestra, is bringing Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent winner, N’famady Kouyaté to the Riverfront in Newport to perform a unique and dynamic concert this September. Blending N’famady’s West African roots and Sinfonia Cymru’s incredible young talents, audiences at the Riverfront will experience a beautiful fusion of classical, folk and West African rhythms, including N’famady’s own music. They will also experience his powerful vocals, and get to see why he’s known as the best balafon player on the planet! Being raised in a well known Griot family, famous for their incredible storytelling and musical talents, N’famady…

Dogs Trust, which has rehoming centres in Bridgend and Cardiff, has revealed that dog owners dedicate more than two hours a day to their dogs, Dachshunds are on the up, and if you have a Labrador named Poppy or Alfie, you may not be as creative as you think… The results from Dogs Trust’s 2025 National Dog Survey are in! Hot off the press data from the UK’s largest dog poll, Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey, reveals that Labradors named Poppy or Alfie are the most ‘popular’ dog in Wales, while Labradors named Poppy and Teddy are the most average…

A new four part BBC drama , The Guest, has received production funding support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, the economic development agency that supports the creative industries in Wales. The Guest shines a spotlight on Welsh talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Created by Welsh screenwriter Matthew Barry (Men Up), the four part thriller was filmed at Dragon Studios near Bridgend and on location in Cardiff, Newport and Rhossili with a largely Welsh cast, led by Eve Myles (Keeping Faith) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin). Behind the lens, 65% of the employed crew were based in Wales, while…

New businesses across Bridgend County Borough are continuing to receive support to help with their start-up costs thanks to the Bridgend County Borough Council’s Economic Development and Enterprise Team. Through a partnership with UK Steel Enterprise, the grant provides financial assistance to new micro-businesses that are located, or are planning to locate, to Bridgend County Borough. Two fine examples of these businesses were recently visited by Councillor Huw David, Mayor of Bridgend County Borough and Councillor John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council. RB Club, based in Maesteg, has been one of the businesses who have been supported through…

Works are now taking place at Swansea city centre’s former Debenhams unit as a project to bring it back into use gathers pace. Acting on behalf of Swansea Council, a team from Andrew Scott Ltd is now inside the building to carry out stripping-out work to help prepare it for occupation. The council is in advanced leasing discussions for the building with two well-known high street retailers and a leisure operator. The ground floor of the building will be subdivided into two units for the well-known retail tenants and the upper floors will be repurposed for the leisure operator. As…

RCT Council is giving advanced notice of an upcoming improvement scheme at Duke Street Car Park within Aberdare Town Centre, which will include resurfacing the entire facility. This will require the capacity of the car park to be temporarily reduced from September 8, to enable the work. From Monday, September 8, the scheme will begin to improve and enhance the well-used town centre car park at Duke Street – located next to Aberdare Bus Station. Site activity will include drainage work and pedestrian access improvements, along with the main resurfacing element. This will involve the current blockwork being removed and…

More than 25 officers carried out early-morning warrants at three addresses in Rhymney on Thursday 21 August. Neighbourhood officers investigating the supply of class A drugs in the Rhymney area carried out early-morning warrants at three addresses in the village on Thursday 21 August. Officers seized a large quantity of cash; cocaine, cannabis, two off-road bikes, two cars, mobile phones and a laptop, following the simultaneous raids involving more than 20 officers. A 25-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, and…