Author: Rhys Gregory

The 13th list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on Tuesday 7th December 2021 in London, UK. After extensive consultation with industry figures, its Academy Chairs, bartenders, bar owners and its partners, the 50 Best organisation received overwhelming feedback that the awards should go ahead and be celebrated in person this year following a virtual announcement in 2020 due to the pandemic. For the very first time, Wales has also been included in the awards, with Cardiff’s Lab 22 winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu award. The special award…

A new SMART Digital Accelerator project to help Welsh industry benefit from digital technology to accelerate growth is being delivered by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). The project is being funded by Welsh Government and supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru (AMRC Cymru). Its aim is to provide expert support and advice for Welsh manufacturers using the skills and expertise of academia and industry to improve processes, engage talented employees across the company, driving new, profitable business models. The team is made up of industry advisers who will work with manufacturers in Wales to help…

A Cardiff-based internet marketing company has beaten some of the biggest agencies in the UK to land a contract with a leading wealth management firm. Pinnacle Internet Marketing is working with London-based Raymond James Investment Services on a year-long digital marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign. It won the contract despite stiff competition from some of the top SEO agencies in London and Manchester. Raymond James Investment Services offers wealth management solutions for wealth managers and their clients. It has more than 40,000 client accounts in the UK representing £14.9B in client assets. Howard Wilkins, Managing Director of Pinnacle,…

AN ACCLAIMED business and management qualification is celebrating its most successful cohort ever. More than 1,000 senior managers, owners, and directors from across Wales – and 10% of its 300 top firms – have graduated from the 20Twenty Business Growth Programme over the years. The latest group to complete the course – all based in Flintshire, Wrexham and north Powys – have the best results in its history; 14 delegates on the CMI (Chartered Management Institute) Level 7 received the highest average results in Wales, including seven distinctions. Among them was Ian Danby, Head of Biodiversity at the British Association…

Officers were alerted after a member of the public spotted the cat on Glas Y Dorlan on 29 November, and thought the cat was in need of help. RSPCA Cymru are sure the cat has recently been owned – as she is exceptionally friendly; but she is not microchipped. The cat is currently in the care of the RSPCA – and has some issues bearing weight on her front left leg, while she was thin and her fur was very matted when she was found. Anyone who recognises the cat, or has information on who may own her, has been…

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Lisa Mytton has this week (8 December, 2021) announced a reshuffle of her Cabinet. Following some extremely difficult years during the pandemic and delivering the Council’s transformation programme, Cllr Mytton now needs to reconfigure the Cabinet to better respond to the priorities, opportunities and pressures the Council face both now and in the future. She said: “We have an ambitious improvement programme ahead of us, therefore it is clear that we need strong, focused leadership. “In recent months, there has been a significant difference of opinion with some Cabinet members in relation to…

The Step Into Nevill Street campaign has gained attention from Abergavenny residents since its launch last week. The trail which has seen independent businesses design their own festive wooden reindeer representing their shop to form a reindeer trail through the centre of Abergavenny in hopes of encouraging residents to support local businesses this festive period. With help from Nevill Street traders, the campaign has been arranged by Chris Jones, a local Place Practitioner with 30 years’ experience in town centre development and rural development programmes in towns and communities. All local businesses played a key role in designing and distributing the…

Over 7,500 visit Caerphilly Town Centre for its Winter Food and Crafts Market. Caerphilly Town Centre was transformed into a Winter Wonderland this weekend, with approximately 50 food and craft stalls, a selection of children’s funfair rides along with a jam-packed programme of top-quality street theatre entertainment. The event drew in over 7,500 visitors to Caerphilly Town Centre, an increase of 174% compared to the preceding weekend, with most traders stocking sell-out items. Cllr. Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for Performance, Economy and Enterprise said, “It is great to see visitors enjoying and supporting our Town Centres again. Our local high…

The Council has announced the return of the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K on Sunday 15th May after a two-year absence. With 2022 fast approaching, entries are now open to register your place. Whether you are looking to enter your first race, an experienced runner or just love running, join us and sign up today. Set in the shadows of the spectacular Caerphilly Castle, the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K will both start and finish on Crescent Road. The course will lead runners in and around the town centre, passing iconic landmarks on a relatively flat course with some undulating…

Fourteen schools in Wales will trial providing additional hours this academic year, with up to £2m of funding available to support the scheme, Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has announced. The primary and secondary schools trialling the additional time will be funded to provide an extra five hours of activities each week for groups of learners, with sessions such as art, music and sport, as well as core academic sessions. The school day trials will be focused on supporting disadvantaged pupils and schools particularly affected during the pandemic. The plans draw on international models and proposals made by…