Author: Rhys Gregory

Savills has completed the freehold sales of the ibis Budget Newport and Hotel ibis Swansea to a private buyer for an undisclosed price with the hotels subsequently being leased to AGO Hotels, a hybrid lease operator providing a combination of guaranteed fixed rent and profit participation. The Hotel ibis Swansea comprises 99 bedrooms, a 50 cover restaurant and two meetings rooms. It is located on the A483 which is the main arterial road providing access to the city centre. The ibis Budget Newport comprises 103 bedrooms, a 30 cover breakfast room and bar. The Hotel benefits from its from proximity…

The boss of Marks and Spencer has hailed a new super bakery in North Wales as one of the best in the world. The praise from CEO Steve Rowe came during a visit to the Jones Village Bakery’s new state-of-the-art, 140,000 sq ft production facility on Wrexham Industrial Estate. Mr Rowe was there for a major relaunch of retail giant’s Plan A environmental strategy to combat climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable raw materials, trade ethically and help customers to lead healthier lifestyles. He chose the eco-friendly Jones Village Bakery for the reboot following a visit to see the new…

An epic swim across 60 kilometres of some of the wildest water in Wales’s seas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs is no birthday party – as TV presenter Gaz Top discovered. Gareth Jones: Nofio Adre (Gareth Jones: Swimming Home) – tells the tale of how the St Asaph-born star of ITV shows like How 2 with Fred Dinenage and Carol Vorderman and The Big Bang tackled two-metre waves in the Bristol Channel, a Mid Wales reservoir where Dambusters explosives were tested and the lake which swept away a village in the Conwy Valley. To get the energy to fuel his efforts…

Principality Building Society has announced a collaboration with Cardiff based energy tech company Sero, to accelerate the transition to net zero for new and existing mortgage customers. Using Sero’s Building Passport app, Principality Building Society will look to gain a better understanding of the energy performance and carbon impacts of its existing portfolio, to speed up the development of future green finance products. The collaboration will allow customers to gain a greater understanding of the carbon footprint of their home, how they can make it more energy efficient, and track the progress of the home on its pathway to net…

Today, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend launches a new sustainability initiative to help guests tackle textile waste and dispose of unwanted clothes responsibly.  The brand has partnered with CTR Group to deliver a circular recycling scheme with 100% of the donations reused, re-worn or recycled.    The Recycle Your Fashion initiative is part of a larger corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment for the business which aims to recycle 25 tons of clothing by 2022/23, whilst also supporting local community partners.   The proceeds from each bag of recycled garments  are donated to the centre’s chosen local causes, allowing McArthurGlen guests to make a real difference to their community. MMcArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend is supporting Ty Hafan, a Welsh children’s hospice, recognising…

A growing Llandrindod Wells-based company set up last year to turn uninhabitable buildings into good quality, affordable housing was a winner at the Powys Business Awards. Cherry Build Ltd, which has 20 employees, collected the Start-up Business Award, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges, at the drive-in awards ceremony in Newtown last Friday. Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, the Powys Business Awards showcase business excellence across the county. Heather Gorringe, a director of Cherry Build Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted and very surprised to win the award because the other finalists in our category were fantastic. Win or…

Buying a drinks wholesale business in the middle of a pandemic, whilst all licensed trade was shut, would definitely seem a risky move. But Rhys and Chyrelle Anstee did just that and have made their new venture, Cellar Drinks Company in Crickhowell, a success by launching online sales, opening new accounts, securing partnerships with large brewers and moving to larger premises. Their success was recognised at the Powys Business Awards in Newtown where Cellar Drinks Company won the Micro Business Award, sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group. Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, the Powys Business Awards showcase business excellence across…

Some of Gwynedd’s young residents recently took part in the High Sheriff’s Charity Golf Competition held at Porthmadog Golf Club. The event was to raise money for PACT (North Wales Police and Community Trust) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, selected by this Year’s High Sheriff of Gwynedd, Gwyn Peredur Owen. The Ieuenctid Gwynedd golf team, which included Tomos Dobson, Jamie Williams and Siôn Endaf Parry, was one of 14 teams that took part on the day. The team was sponsored by Councillor Simon Glyn, Chairman of Gwynedd Council with youth worker Andrew Owen keeping a close eye on the…

Swansea-raised Darren Cox is eager to make the iconic venue as welcoming and engaging as possible to traders, neighbours and customers. He became market supervisor after a 27-year career in private sector businesses. He now heads a market that, in non-pandemic times, attracts more than four million shoppers a year. Managed by Swansea Council, it is the permanent home to more than 100 businesses, hosts casual traders and puts on regular events. Darren said: “The market is so close to my heart that I’m thrilled to get this role – it’s a dream come true. “Retail around the UK hasn’t…

Two of Cardiff Bay’s finest heritage buildings – which have lain vacant for 20 years – are now set to revitalised and regenerated. In late 2020 Cardiff Council bought Merchant Place/Cory’s Buildings on the corner of Bute Street and James Street. The Council’s intention was to safeguard the buildings as part of its plans to regenerate the Atlantic Wharf/Bay area, and to find a private-sector partner who could buy the properties from the Council and bring them back to life at no cost to the taxpayer. Now Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will consider a report on Thursday, October 13, which recommends…