Author: Rhys Gregory

“You can run, but you can’t hide”. That’s the tough warning to County Lines drugs gangs and other dangerous criminals heading to North Wales from Chief Inspector Jon Aspinall. He’s the officer in charge of the crack Intercept team that was set up by North Wales Police just over a year ago Chief Inspector Aspinall made the vow to the region’s police and crime commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, when he paid a visit to briefed on their successes. The specialist unit, which was established with extra funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, comprises two sergeants and 14…

Wales’s most inspiring entrepreneurs have been recognised at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2021: The Finals. In partnership with Starling Bank, the ceremony was held at Grosvenor House and saw 159 businesspeople recognised for their achievements, including 15 from across Wales. The overall Great British Entrepreneur of the Year winner was London’s Philip Belamant, the CEO and founder of financial services company, Zilch. The Great British Entrepreneur Awards launched in 2012 to celebrate the best of British enterprise, inviting founders from across the UK to apply with their entrepreneurial success stories. This year, after having to hold the awards virtually…

CIPD Wales, the professional body for HR and people development, has recognised the top talent in Wales at its 2021 Awards ceremony. The CIPD Wales Awards, now in its fourth year, returned with a hybrid virtual and in person ceremony after being cancelled last year because of the pandemic. The awards saw two exceptional individuals and eight organisations take home the industry’s most coveted accolades, recognising the efforts and resilience of teams from across Wales during a period that tested the sector to its limits. Throughout Wales, there are thousands of people employed in the people profession, with HR and…

A law firm with an office in Cardiff has raised more than £1,000 for Cerebral Palsy Cymru with a 100th anniversary-themed fundraiser. Staff at Thompsons Solicitors, which has offices on Greyfriars Road raised £1,065 for the charity, which aims to improve the quality of life for all children in Wales living with cerebral palsy by offering specialist therapy, services and expert knowledge. The ‘100 repetitions’ fundraising challenge stemmed from the social justice law firm turning 100 this year. Staff took part in a number of challenges, including walking 100,000 steps, surfing 100 waves and baking 100 cookies. Cath Cladingbowl, regional…

COLEG CAMBRIA will bring festive cheer to north east Wales with its first ever Christmas markets. Six days of activities and attractions are to take place at the college’s Deeside and Yale Wrexham sites from December 1-10, with more than 40 vendors in attendance. As well as independent producers showcasing their wares, Santa Claus will take time out from his hectic schedule to visit both campuses and there will be entertainment from the North Wales and Wirral Rock Choir, who will be performing traditional carols and yuletide favourites. Following the cancellation of Wrexham’s popular Queens Square market, organisers hope to…

Swansea Council has condemned the actions of the owners of a city cinema which has refused to remain shut to address serious covid health concerns. Cinema & Co was recently issued with a closure notice after enforcement officers in the Council, during a visit, noted that no measures had been put in place by the owners to reduce the risks of spreading coronavirus to either staff or customers. The Welsh Government has since issued a direction to the owners, ordering them to close and action was taken by council officers, supported by local police, to close the premises on Friday…

Growing the Welsh food and drink industry’s value to £8.5bn and increasing the number of employees in the sector who receive the Welsh Living Wage to 80%, both by 2025, are at the heart of a new Welsh Government vision. Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths will make the announcement today as she visits the Royal Welsh Winter Fair which returns after being cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. A Vision for the Food & Drink industry from 2021 will build on the sector’s success in Wales with the key aim of helping ensure a flourishing food and drink…

New anti-social behaviour rules will help Swansea city centre become a more welcoming place to live in, work in and visit from December 1. A city centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will apply to behaviour such as drug-taking and drunkenness – and everybody will be asked to comply. People who are vulnerable due to circumstances such as homelessness will be treated sensitively; housing and outreach services will be involved. The PSPO – part of a broader and coordinated Swansea approach to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and street vulnerability – is designed to boost the city centre which is already…

Bridgend County Borough Council has released artist impressions of how an all-new luxury spa waterfront hotel could look on Porthcawl’s seafront. The hotel is one of several potential opportunities the council is showcasing as part of consultation organised in line with the Placemaking Wales Charter, which seeks to bring organisations, businesses and communities together in order to deliver effective, sustainable development. Following two well-attended public sessions held earlier this week at the Grand Pavilion, display panels are being erected at Cosy Corner to highlight how the council wants to explore improvements such as modern multi-storey car parking at Hillsboro Place,…

Hundreds of job vacancies will be promoted at two social care jobs fairs in Bridgend County Borough next week. Supported by Employability Bridgend, the events in Porthcawl and the Ogmore Valley form part of Bridgend County Borough Council’s social care recruitment drive. The first jobs fair takes place on Monday 29 November between 10am-1pm at Hi-Tide, Porthcawl followed by the second on Tuesday 30 November between 12pm-3pm at the Ogmore Valley Life Centre. Each fair will have hundreds of jobs on offer as well as support and guidance for those interested in working in the social care sector. Enquiries from…