Author: Rhys Gregory

A package of investment has been secured to revitalise Aberystwyth’s sea front area and boost Ceredigion’s local economy during the budget announcement today. Ceredigion County Council welcomes the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer during the UK Government’s budget yesterday (27 October 2021) as it was confirmed that Ceredigion will be awarded with an investment for the Old College and Harbour as part of the UK Levelling Up Fund. The funding will contribute to realising Aberystwyth University’s plans to bring new life to the Old College, and the delivery of schemes to create a Living Harbour and a Revitalised…

Top butcher Edwards of Conwy has just clinched a deal that will put their award-winning bangers on the shelves of over 500 Co-op stores across England and Wales. Their popular six-pack sausages will be on sale at Co-op supermarkets across the Midlands and North West of England as well as in 130 stores in Wales and the border counties. Edwards of Conwy have invested £2.6 million in a newly expanded production facility on the Morfa Conwy Business Park, in Conwy, which will soon be producing an extra 14,000 sausages a week to cope with the increased demand. Managing Director Simon…

A new Community Rail Officer has been appointed by South West Wales Connected (SWWCo), a Community Rail Partnership set up to support the communities along the railway lines throughout Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. Ashley Morgan joins SWWCo after a career focused on travel and customer relations; he previously worked in a customer facing role on ocean liners and prior to that he worked for Thomas Cook. He has also supported individuals as a mental health worker. In his new role he will work to encourage the use of rail services through the increased participation of local communities…

Afro funk, hip-hop, and folk are just some of the genres recognised in this year’s Welsh Music Prize – an annual award celebrating the best new music created in Wales. Previous editions have revered past winners such as Gruff Rhys, Gwenno, Boy Azooga and last year’s winner Deyah. The shortlisted albums have been whittled down from a longlist of 129 albums by the 100+ Welsh Music Prize jurors. Next month a panel of music industry judges will then have the difficult task of choosing one of the 12 nominated albums for the coveted prize. The 2021 winner will follow in…

A go-ahead warehouse and distribution company has recruited an industry “legend” to drive ambitious expansion plans that will create 30 new jobs. Julian Richards, 60, has been appointed commercial director at Wrexham-based McCarthy Distribution and he is also aiming to increase turnover to more than £15 million over the next three years. The strategy to take the company to the “next level” will include increasing warehouse capacity and securing contract packing work. The ambitious firm, headed by managing director Mike McCarthy, opened a new £3 million headquarters and 42,000 sq ft warehouse on Wrexham Industrial Estate in 2019. It also…

Several Holiday Parks in Wales have been presented with top regional tourism awards by UK holiday giant Hoseasons. Talacre Beach Resort in Flintshire, owned by Darwin Escapes, took home Best Large Relax and Explore destination in Wales at the staycation specialist’s 15th annual Awards – a celebration of the holiday parks, lodge resorts and boating locations in the company’s UK portfolio that have achieved the highest scores in independent customer satisfaction surveys and delighted guests through exceptional holiday experiences throughout the 2021 season. Other award-winning Holiday Parks in Wales include: Quay West was crowned Best Family Fun destination Celtic Escapes…

New data released by CarShop, which has a large store on Penarth Road in Cardiff serving customers across South Wales, has revealed how trade-in prices for some cars have increased by almost a third this summer (June – August) due to a shortage of supply and increased customer demand. The UK’s leading used car retailer has had another busy summer with UK-wide sales increasing by 18% on last year’s figures. But this is good news for the owners of some of the most sought-after models, with trade-in prices higher than ever before. For example, CarShop’s in-house team of analysts recently…

New dates to see Wales’ biggest ever Christmas lights trail have been introduced as demand for tickets to the magical new festive experience remains extremely high. Visits to Christmas at Bute Park will now take place during timed intervals on every night of the week throughout November and December, as the majority of existing dates have almost sold-out. Christmas at Bute Park opens next month and will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delight around one of Cardiff’s most beloved landmarks. From November 25th, Bute Park will be taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue,…

Business leaders in Wales are giving their backing to the £1.7bn Blue Eden project that’s been announced for Swansea. Katherine Bennett, Western Gateway Chair, and Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, say the project will create opportunities for sustainable growth, while helping accelerate a green recovery from the Covid pandemic in Wales. The Blue Eden project, which includes a tidal lagoon, is being led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and their business partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports. Made possible by funding from the private sector, Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years. The…

A simple exercise programme could spare people chronic pain and even disability after they have suffered a chest injury. Researchers will recruit hundreds of patients during a two-year study being carried out across four Welsh hospitals and one in England. It will be led by Dr Ceri Battle, a consultant physiotherapist in Morriston Hospital who has carried out extensive research into blunt wall chest trauma – usually caused by falls, road accidents or assaults. Dr Battle’s earlier research focused on people who have been sent home from emergency departments after injuring their ribs. While the chest injuries themselves can be…