Author: Rhys Gregory

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay’s leading entertainment destination, has recorded its busiest month since February 2020 with footfall approaching 2019 levels for the first time in eighteen months. A month into Wales’ Alert Level Zero, there has also been a steady week-by-week increase being recorded with footfall up 55% this August compared to August 2020. This is particularly heartening considering that the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme saw many businesses enjoy pre-pandemic levels of trade. It isn’t just The Centre’s eateries that have seen a return of visitors, the bowling alley and casino have also enjoyed welcoming…

Multi-million pound plans to redevelop the long derelict North Wales Hospital site in Denbigh are to be considered by Denbighshire planners next week (Wednesday, September 8). Vale of Clwyd-based Jones Bros want to build 300 new homes and facilities for local businesses, shops and leisure facilities, including a new home for the town’s cricket club, on the 50.6-acre site. Their 10-year project will also restore and convert the magnificent central section of the Grade Two Star-listed former psychiatric hospital which was opened in 1848 and which cared for thousands of patients until its closure in 1995. Since then it has…

This Christmas, St David’s Dewi Sant is hosting a brand-new exciting experience, inviting families to discover the magic of the festive season.  Believe, St David’s wonderous Christmas grotto, will be open from Friday 26th November until Christmas Eve, with tickets going on an exclusive pre-sale for registrants from Monday 6th September. Guests are welcomed into a mystical cavern where they’ll meet one of Santa’s trusted elves, McJingles, and the magical talking reindeer, Norbert – a small creature with big dreams. Watch out, Rudolf! After greeting Norbert with a song – and discovering one of his many charming surprises – guests…

Innovative talent matching platform Business Butler have partnered with Virtual Finance Director Pro (VFD Pro) to provide business owners with a free comprehensive financial and managerial training programme. Established in Swansea 2018, Business Butler have built an impressive reputation for helping businesses access trusted, impartial advice and professional support through their unique matching engine and the partnership with VFD Pro will further enhance their offering. Business Butler founder and CEO Bhupinder Sidhu explains what the partnership means: “We are delighted to form a partnership with VFD Pro to deliver high-quality financial training to business owners. Our philosophy has always been…

A £8m modern public transport interchange is being planned for Haverfordwest, as part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s commitment to enhancing the town and enabling people to access the centre much more easily. The scheme forms part of the South West Wales Metro project and will provide a modern and innovative transport hub, integrating all transport modes. Designs include improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities through the site, a more efficient and integrated bus station, and construction of a new modern multi-storey. The Council has a team of consultants designing the improved facility which would be on the site of the…

Substantial progress has been made on bringing a row of former commercial premises on High Street back into use. Swansea Council is renovating the properties and residents and community groups have been asked for their suggestions on how they will be used. The countdown to opening is now on and plans include a community café and space for pop-up businesses as well as leisure activities. Charities and other third sector organisations also want to make use of the facilities along with council services. Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities Alyson Pugh (pictured) visited the site this week to check…

Swansea’s successful free bus promotion is set to return during the school holidays in October and at Christmas. During August the initiative funded by Swansea council saw more than 220,000 passengers get on board buses. And on the back of that success the council has confirmed that subject to funding it’s planning to allow passengers will to travel free anywhere in Swansea during October half term and the Christmas holidays. First Cymru reported passenger numbers jumped by as much as 51% during the summer holiday offer while some of the busiest routes operated on Gower saw passenger numbers increase by…

Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet unanimously supported the motion to extend free parking for a further 12 months until 30th September 2022, to support the economic recovery. Car park charges were suspended in council-owned car parks across the county in June 2020, a decision that was made by delegated powers. In the months that followed Cabinet have supported a number of motions to see the free parking continue. The report, presented by Cllr. James Pritchard, highlighted the overall decision making process that needs to be considered going forward, including the financial implications of the loss of income, it was agreed that the…

RCT Council can confirm that the summer season for the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will be extended due to the demand seen so far in spite of the COVID-19 restrictions. The Lido, which on the weekend remarkably welcomed its 64,000th visitor this year, has seen a significant demand for places which has outstripped the 1,000 places-per-day capacity that the Council has been able to offer due to the Public Health restrictions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. In recognition of this, the Council is looking to extend the opening arrangements until Sunday, 3rd October. Commencing on…

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales, in partnership with Cardiff Business School has launched its annual search for the nation’s highest achieving business leaders. The Director of the Year Awards 2021 seek to reward the successes of directors representing a wide spectrum of businesses, organisations and sectors the length and breadth of Wales. Applications for this year’s awards are welcomed until Friday 22 October 2021. A shortlist will then be released prior to the awards ceremony which will take place on Thursday 25 November 2021 at the Sophia Gardens Cricket Stadium, Cardiff. With sponsors including Educ8, Sony Technology Centre, Legal &…