Author: Rhys Gregory

Trading Standards Wales is supporting an initiative by Greater Gwent Food Group to reduce deaths from allergic reactions. The Greater Gwent Food Group, a partnership between Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport City and Torfaen councils, released a new multilingual allergen resource for food businesses in Wales, England and Northern Ireland to help protect the estimated two million plus people living with a diagnosed food allergy in the UK. The materials are being released just before Natasha’s Law comes into force.  The new law due to be enacted in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on 1 October, means significant changes…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is currently considering options to develop an innovative mixed tenure housing development on the site of the former Oakdale Comprehensive School. Site investigations are currently underway to assess the site’s suitability for a housing development.  If successful, the development would be the first of its kind for the council in offering open market sales, alongside affordable and social housing. Leader of the council, Cllr Philippa Marsden, said “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the council to develop this currently unused land into a flagship housing development; the first of its kind for the council and…

Following the submission of the application for the proposed new leisure centre for the city centre, Newport City Council is sharing a new image of how it could look. It is expected to go before a full planning committee later this year when decision will be made. In February, cabinet approved the creation of purpose-built centre, with modern facilities, would be located on a key riverfront site and would replace the ageing Newport Centre. If given the go-ahead by the planning committee, it will be built to the highest possible environmental and sustainable standards. The Cabinet also approved the disposal…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is hosting a FREE Virtual Careers Fair, Wednesday September 22, 10am-5pm, following on from the huge success of the first RCT Virtual Careers Fair earlier this year. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is determined to increase employment opportunities for residents by connecting them with employers who are actively recruiting, as well as providing opportunities to improve CVs and build confidence for interviews. Anyone who wishes to take part in the online event will need to register their details before the event at: rctcareersfair.vfairs.com The first RCT Virtual Careers Fair was a huge success earlier this year – allowing…

RCT Council is giving advanced notice of upcoming works at High Street Car Park in Aberdare – which will operate with a limited capacity from September 27 while the Council delivers a significant improvement scheme. The car park, located next to St Elvan’s Church in the town centre, will benefit from a series of future-proofing works. These include resurfacing of the entire car park area, drainage works, and pedestrian access improvements – including the renewal of the access ramp along with the ticket machine areas. The scheme will be delivered in phases, working within one section of the car park…

A new £1.8m fund to encourage businesses to move beyond manufacturing internal combustion engines to producing low carbon vehicle technologies, helping to stimulate innovative economic growth in Wales, is being established by Ford and the Welsh Government. The Ford Low Carbon Vehicle Transition Fund, administered by the Welsh Government as part of Ford’s legacy in Wales, will address strategic industrial technical challenges associated with low carbon vehicles. There will be a clear focus on commercialisation and exploitation of new products, processes or services and growing capacity in low carbon technologies. Projects must align with one of the following Automotive Council…

An electric bike pilot scheme that has received more than £1m of funding from the Welsh Government is already helping local residents to swap their car for a bike in communities across Wales. The electric bike loan scheme, run by Sustrans, offers a range of battery assisted electric bikes for free, on long-term loan, for local residents that do not cycle regularly or find the cost of electric bikes a barrier to using them. The scheme which is being rolled out initially in five locations across Wales – Rhyl, Swansea, Newtown (with links to Aberystwyth) and Barry – will help…

There’s nothing that helps potential customers relate to and identify your brand better than a strong and stunning promo video. Videos help audiences build trust in a brand, and where there is trust, there is always this willingness to buy products and services. Integrating quality video marketing into your business promotion strategy online will hype your business and offer some of the greatest advantages not available from textual matter. So, as a business, if you are looking to make a human and more memorable connection with the viewers, it’s high time you incorporate promo videos into your marketing strategy. Believe…

When carrying out construction and repair activities, many people especially those that have less experience in construction have many questions like what material is better to choose for work, so that it most closely matches the project specification and importantly compliant with building regulations requirements. Indeed, the builders’ merchants nowadays, offer a large selection of different sheet materials that can be equally used in a particular area. One of trusted and reliable builders’ merchants know in Essex & London is MGN Builders Merchants. They are famous for their amazing sheet materials range including plywood sheets in various types and thicknesses.…

Pension experts are backing the Government’s rationale to suspend the triple-lock guarantee on the State Pension for this year which would have seen the State Pension increase by 8% from April 2022. Instead, pensioners will see an increase in line with the consumer inflation rate or 2.5% – whichever is higher. Debate over the practicality and longevity of the formula has been rife even before the COVID19 pandemic with some in the industry calling it outdated and not fit for purpose. Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, says: “Criticism of the triple-lock has been prevalent for several years…