Author: Rhys Gregory

Business confidence in Wales fell one point during December to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own prospects month-on-month, up three points at 47%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down six points to 24%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36%. The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. The survey captured responses between 26th November and 10th December. The first two cases of Omicron in the UK were confirmed on 27th November and nations began announcing the reintroduction of restrictions in the week commencing 6th December. A net balance of…

A trailblazing child safety centre has reached a major milestone in its history – welcoming its 100,000thvisitor. DangerPoint, established in 2005, is an interactive centre for schools and youth groups where young people can work through real-life scenarios to understand risk and learn how to keep themselves safe. The Talacre-based centre is designed like a film set, where visitors can travel from home to the beach, countryside, playground and a host of other settings to explore dangerous scenarios, including cyberbullying and keeping safe online. New displays include one about equality and diversity and another one about being environmentally friendly by…

New Year’s Day has seen the most domestic violence and abuse incidents for the last four years in the South Wales Police force area. Many of these incidents happened in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The highest number was on 1st January 2019 and 1st January 2020, with 162 reports of domestic violence and abuse incidents on both days. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis said: “Whilst we know Christmas and New Year is a time to relax and enjoy ourselves, it can also be a difficult time for many. Around this time of year, we see a large…

Business technology solutions provider, Brother has achieved carbon neutral status for its recycling and environment technology centre in North Wales as the business commits to reaching net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050. The site at Ruabon, which recycles used toner cartridges returned by Brother customers from across Europe, uses 100 per cent green-certified electricity to power the plant and a fleet of electric vehicles. Globally, Brother recycles more than 2.6 million toner cartridges every year. The centre was certified by The Carbon Trust, which includes a calculation on the site’s scope 1 and 2 emissions determined by direct and indirect…

Space Forge has closed Europe’s largest ever seed round for a space tech company; raising $10.2 million (approx. £7.7 million). The oversubscribed round, reached four times the original target with investment from across the globe. Space Forge’s aim is to advance the expansion of the microgravity market for premium research and development applications by lowering the barriers to entry. Dedicated in-space manufacturing, coupled with reliable return, enables Space Forge to leverage the benefits of the space environment, namely: microgravity, vacuum, and temperature, to create products impossible to manufacture on Earth. Its focus is on producing materials and products which offer…

A South Wales entrepreneur has secured a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK to acquire a garden machinery and e-commerce business. With the help of the finance package from HSBC UK, Steven Williams will take over ownership of Cheltenham Mowers following the retirement of Jonathan Heasman who has run the business for the last 20 years. Cheltenham Mowers has been selling, servicing and repairing garden equipment, including lawn tractors, hedge trimmers and chainsaws, for the last two decades. New owner, Mr. Williams will bring his extensive business management experience to the company, having previously established and owned three DPD Local…

Leading Wales-based medtech firm Bond Digital Health has secured a further £1 million cash injection to support its plans for growth. The Cardiff-headquartered company, which has developed a data capture and management system for lateral flow diagnostic tests, raised the investment through its existing shareholders. The investment included equity funding of £350,000 from the Development Bank of Wales, with the remainder coming from members of Wealth Club, the high-net-worth investment service. Investors through Wealth Club included the company’s CEO, Ian Smith, and its chair, Wayne Harvey. The current funding round closes at the end of January, with Bond aiming to…

Heddwyn and Buddug Morgan and their son Credig are used to making a living against the odds, as they frequently battle the weather conditions in the Penmachno valley. However, with farming in their blood, they treat each new set of challenges as they would treat bad weather; a minor irritation, but not something to impede day to day life. Heddwyn and Credig have learned that whilst fads come and go in hill farming, the basic challenge remains constant through the generations. The family is honest about the challenges on their 450 acre farm and the farming conditions. Heddwyn said: “It’s…

One of Wales’ top independent, fine-food producers has marked a year of rapid growth by winning two of the UK’s leading food industry awards. Despite the industry being majorly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; Bedwas-based Capital Cusine has grown to 10 members of staff, increased its production space to 6,000 sq foot and seen its order book double. The remarkable year was capped off by winning two coveted Great Taste Awards from the Guild of Fine Food, for its Sweet Chilli Asian Glaze and its Carrot, Orange and Ginger Relish. The great taste awards are the food and drink industry’s…

Set within 400 acres of the Waun Las National Nature Reserve just outside of Carmarthen you can find a mosaic of flower-rich meadows, spectacular woodlands, waterfalls and cascades – and Pantwgan farm. The organic farm is part of the National Botanic Garden of Wales and is run under the watchful eye of lead farm manager Huw Jones. Looking after the environment, maintaining biodiverse habitats and producing food are of critical importance. Here Huw looks after traditional breeds of Welsh Black Cattle and Balwen sheep. Describing the role they play in managing the habitats and nature reserve he says: “They’re really…