Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea business and university leaders have given a thumbs-up to the city’s emerging new £135 million Copr Bay phase one district. A small group was given a tour of the district, which includes the Swansea Arena, the coastal park and the landmark new bridge over Oystermouth Road. Also included as part of Copr Bay phase one are apartments, spaces for hospitality and leisure businesses, and plenty of car parking. The Copr Bay phase one district is being developed by Swansea Council and advised by development manager RivingtonHark. Construction, being led by Buckingham Group Contracting Limited, is earmarked for completion this year. Professor…

Llansamlet Park threw open its gates extra wide recently to welcome dozens of young children and families helping to celebrate the official opening of its upgraded children’s play area. The £80,000 Llansamlet upgrade featuring a range of play equipment which local residents had a hand in choosing was funded by a Welsh Government grant. And it comes on top of a huge play area revitalisation project paid for by Swansea Council which will see over 30 more getting makeovers. It was officially-opened by Council Leader Rob Stewart and the community made sure it was a memorable day by staging a…

A range of new projects is about to make a positive difference to Swansea’s rural communities. They include new training opportunities for volunteer tourism ambassadors and the creation of a honey bee garden. Others will bring a new platform for young people to engage in environmental issues – and further studies into how fibres can be produced from the flax and natural dyes used to produce sustainable textiles. All have been assisted by new funding from the Swansea Council-managed Rural Development Programme (RDP). Andrew Stevens, the council’s cabinet member for business improvement and performance, said: “It’s so good to see…

Swansea Council is asking residents how best it can meet the needs of people aged 50 or older. The council is committed to seeking out the views of those aged 50+, listening to them and involving them in helping to shape the services that matter to them. A survey is now live on how best this can be achieved and people can take part by visiting: www.swansea.gov.uk/listeningtopeople50plusconsultation Anyone needing a hard copy can email: [email protected] Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “Swansea Council is committed to listening to and working with all our residents…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that its free parking offer at several council-maintained town centre car parks will be extended. The offer which was due to end this month will now continue until after Christmas – it means that drivers can park for free for up to three hours at the Rhiw multi-storey car park in Bridgend town centre, and between noon and 3pm at the John Street car park in Porthcawl. Free parking remains available at the Llynfi Road multi-storey in Maesteg and at the Penprysg Road car park in Pencoed. In addition, the Pencoed Town Council owned…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that new testing centres will open in Porthcawl and Coity this week. Testing will be available at Porthcawl RFC (CF36 3DH) from tomorrow (Friday August 27) and will be open from 9am to 5pm. The site will incorporate both a drive through testing facility with booking required and also, a walk-in option for which booking is not required. A new drive-through testing centre will also open on Friday at Coity and Litchard Community Centre (CF31 1PA). It will be open from 9am-5pm and booking is essential. Mobile testing facilities at Ogmore Vale…

Vandals have been reported to South Wales Police after they were caught on CCTV attacking a centre which provides free support and help for young children. The Flying Start hub at Blackmill in the Ogmore Valley provides local families with high-quality childcare for children aged under four, help with early language development, health advice, access to parenting support and more. In recent weeks, staff at the centre have recorded a number of incidents where children and young people have been filmed tearing down gates, knocking holes through the wall of the building and destroying the outdoor play area. They have…

The Museum of Cardiff is to re-open, almost 18 months after it closed its doors at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. From Wednesday 1st September, visitors will be able to enjoy the Cardiff in Context exhibition in the ground floor gallery. City Lab(the basement gallery) and the Tiled Corridor will remain closed for now. Entry to the museum will remain free, but visitor numbers will be limited to allow for social distancing. If capacity is reached, a queuing system will be in place. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “Maybe at some point in the…

The Welsh Government is providing a further £2.5 million for projects which support the everyday economy, improving services and bringing better jobs, closer to home. The new funding will support innovative projects to help improve recruitment into social care and boost local Welsh NHS spending. The everyday economy, also known as the foundational economy, describes the jobs at the heart of our local communities, across sectors such as care and health services, food, housing, energy, tourism, construction and retail. Estimates suggest four in ten jobs, and £1 in every £3 we spend, fall into this category. The Welsh Government’s recovery…

Businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will now be protected from eviction until 25 March, 2022, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced. As part of a package of interventions the Welsh Government is making to support businesses, the moratorium against forfeiture for the non-payment of rent will now be further extended. It was originally due to end on 30 September, 2021. This measure will ensure that landlords of relevant commercial premises are prevented from forfeiting the leases of such premises for non-payment of rent until 25 March 2022, but tenant’s should continue to pay rent wherever possible, and it…