Author: Rhys Gregory

When the team at Thrive Women’s Aid in Neath Port Talbot first partnered with major building contractor Bouygues UK in 2016 to supply cleaners to their school building sites in Port Talbot, they had no idea it would lead to the establishment of a Thrive Group Wales, a social enterprise which now turns over circa £400,000. Bouygues UK puts social value at the heart of its projects and so when it built Ysgol Bro Brombil and Ysgol Bae Baglan in Margam in 2016 it worked with Thrive Women’s Aid to help women who had experienced domestic abuse get back into…

A £1MILLION grant support scheme will help entrepreneurs overcome barriers to business success. Funded by Welsh Government, the Barriers to Start-Up Grant is targeting people across Wales who are unemployed or economically inactive. Hwb Menter/Enterprise Hub – based at M-SParc on Anglesey – will be hosting a live virtual event to support potential applicants on Wednesday February 16 from 10am-4.30pm. The Hub’s Miwtini programme will lead the online webinar, which includes themes on building confidence, marketing advice and the fundamentals of starting a business. Guest speakers include Anglesey-based illustrator Heledd Owen, who herself benefited from the guidance and support of…

Finboot has appointed Dr Lea Borkenhagen, a world leading expert on sustainable business and innovation, to its advisory board. Lea has held a number of senior positions in the sustainable business sector, including a decade at Nike where she led the establishment and delivery of a brand-led collaboration of Chief Operating and Sustainability Officers from leading global fashion, retail, and sportswear brands. The goal was to accelerate the adoption of sustainability across the industry through collaboration. She was also a Sustainable Agriculture Board Member at Unilever. Founder of Borkenhagen Advisory, Lea provides strategic advice on innovative approaches to help companies and…

Buy cheap, sell dear. That’s the motto of life that follows every stockbroker, real estate agent or car salesman. Used car markets operate in the same manner. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are countless opportunities to obtain cars as investment vehicles. However, being a collector of high-end vehicles requires a considerable investment as well as not-insignificant carrying costs. Tons of deep general knowledge about cars is a must too. The experts from the car history registry carVertical analyzed the automotive market and prepared a list of 10 cars you shouldn’t sell due to their significant growth in value. They…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced it intends to begin work to demolish the vacant former GP surgery at Lansbury Park, Caerphilly. The building, which is surrounded by council owned land, became vacant when the previous GP retired, and no prospective owners expressed interest in the property. A decision was taken by the council to purchase the property so that it could be merged with its surrounding assets. The property was not considered appropriate for the delivery of alternative services due to its condition and configuration and so a decision was made to proceed with demolition to avoid the building…

SWANSEA Council is set to invest tens of millions of pounds extra this year in vital services that touch the lives of city residents every day. Extra funding of £35m will see record levels of spending on schools and social care, while community services like street cleaning and litter removal will get more support too. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “The budget will see the biggest-ever single round of investment in council services in Swansea. It will be a record-breaker by any measure.” A report to Cabinet on February 17 reveals how the council has supported residents, businesses and…

The Aberfan Chinese takeaway in Merthyr Tydfil was found to be operating in poor hygiene conditions and ordered to close due to a rodent infestation. The Council’s Environmental Health Department received a complaint from a concerned member of the public who had spotted rats in the rear yard of the food business. An unannounced inspection carried out by an Environmental Health Officer on 4th August 2021 identified immediate hygiene concerns within the business. The kitchen was dirty, food was being exposed to contamination and there was clear evidence of a rodent nest within the storeroom where food ingredients were being…

Hair salons, barbers and beauticians across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan have been asked for their support to help tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Around 650 businesses across the region will be receiving information and resources this month to help raise awareness of the issue and enable them to signpost any clients needing help to local and national specialist support providers. The consequences of domestic abuse and sexual violence can be far reaching and have a serious impact on all aspects of victims’ lives so this initiative aims to ensure that everyone experiencing abuse -…

Major refurbishment and redesign works have been completed at Treorchy Library as part of a joint £150,000 investment by the Council and Welsh Government to improve the facilities for users and the local community. Treorchy Library, situated opposite the Park & Dare Theatre, in the heart of the community, is regularly used by residents of all ages. These improvement works make the library more accessible for all users. Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Communities, said: “I am delighted that the works at Treorchy Library have now been completed, making the venue more…

Residents and road users will notice increased activity near the Llanharan railway bridge next week – as the Council’s contractor begins to prepare the site for a replacement footbridge to be installed in early summer. Following the demolition of the damaged footbridge in January 2022, the Council’s contractor Centregreat Ltd will begin the construction phase of the replacement scheme from Monday, February 14. The new bridge is currently being constructed off site, and the works schedule is to lift it into place during early summer – once the necessary preparations on site have advanced. Initial activity from Monday will include…