Author: Rhys Gregory

A sunny Ceredigion welcomed the Tour of Britain for the start of the fourth stage of the race on Wednesday. Leader of the Ceredigion County Council, Ellen ap Gwynn said: “What a beautiful sunny day to welcome the cyclists, event organisers, fans of the Tour of Britain to Ceredigion. The positive atmosphere in Aberaeron and along the routewith spectators enjoying the sun while practising safe distances as the race began is to be commended. As a county, we can be proud of being a host county for this momentous race. Congratulations to Gruff Lewis, a Welsh road cycling champion from…

As the post-covid battle for talent rages, the new chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) North Wales branch believes business leaders investing in their own skills could be the key when it comes to holding on to their best staff. With a reported one million job vacancies across the UK, and many firms expanding their catchment area by embracing remote working, North Wales employers are facing stiffer competition for their employees. And IoD North Wales chair David Roberts says that as well as focusing on factors such as current staff benefits to help ward off letters of resignation, self-development…

A building in Lampeter town centre has been purchased as part of Ceredigion County Council’s Development and Regeneration Programme, with the view to renovate and bring the building back into use. Works will include renovating the external elevations of 10-11 Harford Square, and returning the ground floor back into two commercial units with new traditional shopfronts along with the conversion of the upper floors into flats. This pilot project will demonstrate how the Local Authority’s role can help reverse the decline of our county’s high streets, reviving empty buildings back into use, benefitting local businesses and the community. We are working…

A Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) assessment of the potential impacts of a 1.25% increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers, sole traders and employees indicates that the move could cause 50,000 more people to be left out of work across the UK. The estimate is based on bringing together the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)’s estimates of NICs rates, an international assessment of comparable employment cost increases and the Office for National Statistics (ONS)’s latest labour market study. The UK’s largest business group warns that the impact on the UK jobs market could be even greater with the…

After the difficulties of planning through the time of Coronavirus restrictions the Montgomery Canal Triathlon run by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal on Saturday 4 September was a most successful event. While many of the 117 entrants were from Shropshire and Montgomeryshire, others came from across the British mainland, some over 200 miles to reach the canal. The oldest to complete all 28 miles were over 80 and the youngest was under 10 years of age. The event started at the new and unfinished ‘Severn Space – Gofod Hafren’, under development by Newtown’s new community trust Open Newtown. Local…

The RSPCA has condemned the person responsible for the “cruel and senseless” death of a two-year-old cat called Morse, who died after being shot with an air rifle in Duffryn Rhondda. Elena Lee’s much-loved pet died on 3 September during surgery to remove two pellets from his stomach after he was shot near his owner’s home in Afan Road. The vet was able to get in touch with Elena because Morse, who had unusually not returned home the previous evening, had been microchipped. The friendly black and white cat, who Elena adopted as a kitten, was found injured in grass…

A new chair has been appointed to lead the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) which represents all sectors of tourism industry in Wales. Suzy Davies officially takes over from Professor Andrew Campbell, who has spent more than three years in the voluntary post, today (September 9). Mrs Davies is a former Conservative Member of the National Assembly for Wales, now known as Senedd Cymru. Pembrokeshire-based Mr Campbell, a Professor of Practice in Tourism at the University of Wales Trinity St David and a tourism consultant, has helped steer the tourism industry through the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult periods…

University students taking part-time jobs are at increased risk of falling victim to scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning. Higher numbers of students going to university this year means more young people may choose to take on part-time work. Being new to interacting with HMRC and unfamiliar with genuine contact from the department could make them vulnerable to scams. In the past year almost 1 million people reported scams to HMRC. Nearly half of all tax scams offer fake tax refunds, which HMRC does not offer by SMS or email. The criminals involved are usually trying to steal…

Major plans for a new £132m life science, well-being and sports campuses project in Swansea that’s expected create over 1,000 jobs are gathering pace. The project is one of nine forming part of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal investment across the Swansea Bay City Region. Estimated to be worth more than £150m to the regional economy, the two-site, phased project includes: The creation of a 700 square metre Institute of Life Science space at the Morriston Hospital site, which will include commercial and academic collaboration alongside clinical research and development Planning for a new access road from the M4…

An ‘ninja-style’ children’s activity centre is going from strength to strength in Blaenau Gwent. Developed by former police Sergeant Roy Bell, EGNI in Tredegar offers an obstacle course to challenge youngsters who may have outgrown traditional soft-play centres. “Our Ninja-style wall presents a physical challenge for the children – and  often parents joining in with them,” said Roy. “EGNI means Energy in Welsh, and that is what you will use in abundance on our course.” The project received a £1000 Business Support grant administered by Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, which has been used to help…