Author: Rhys Gregory

The team behind Newtown’s popular escape rooms attraction, Beyond Breakout, has developed a series of adventure games that can be taken to businesses, outdoor venues and schools. The Magic Portal combines the best of escape rooms, scavenger hunts and geocaching over a three kilometre distance. Beyond Breakout has an exclusive license to set up routes and run these games anywhere within 60 minutes’ travelling distance of Newtown. “The Magic Portal is a great way to utilise outdoor space and encourage footfall to a town, area or grounds,” said Lorna Morris, who runs Beyond Breakout with business partner Jo Woodall. “Each…

The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth has been gifted three iconic works by the celebrated local artist Mary Lloyd Jones. The Aberystwyth based artist is well known for her vibrant, abstract, dynamic and expressionist Welsh landscapes and is heavily influenced in her works by the cultural and geographic history of Wales. Born in Devil’s Bridge in 1934, she trained at the Cardiff College of Art in the 1950s, after which she returned to her beloved Ceredigion landscape, which has always had a deep influence on her works, as can be seen in the emotive ‘Ponterwyd/Gaia’ work, one of the recently gifted works…

Delicious gourmet fish and chips are only a stone’s throw away from the golden sands of Rhyl, with the ‘Shack’ opening today on Rhyl promenade. The brand new eatery offers locals and holiday makers top quality fish and chips, as well as a new outdoor dining experience, in walking distance from Central Beach. On arrival, customers will be met by a Maitre’d and once orders have been placed from our brand new sea-side themed menu, which includes everything you would expect from a traditional fish and chip take away but with a gourmet twist, customers can then choose to enjoy…

Night time businesses in Wales trying to emerge from Covid lockdown are enduring a perfect storm due to the so-called pingdemic, a woeful lack of clarity from the Welsh Government around reopening responsibilities and a severe shortage of industry staff, warns Unite For The Night. Unite For The Night – the body that represents around 700 night time businesses in Swansea, Cardiff and wider Wales – has warned that the pandemic is likely to scupper nightclubs and live and electronic music venues before they even get to reopen on 7 August. Nick Newman, from Unite For the Night, said: “We…

A Newport-based sustainable clothing company is encouraging businesses of all sizes to consider apprenticeships to help create a future pipeline of talent and build a new generation of industry leaders. The Welsh Government is offering funding of up to £4,000 for each apprentice an employer recruits in a bid to support businesses and workers in recovering from the impacts of coronavirus. Loopster Ltd is a digital platform which sells high street and designer second-hand clothing for a fraction of retail price. It aims to extend the life of fashion by making it quicker and more convenient to buy and sell…

For the second consecutive quarter, take-up in the Cardiff out-of- town market has outperformed the city centre, according to the recently released Q2 Big Nine report from strategic real estate adviser Avison Young. There was over 130,000 sq ft of new enquiries in the Cardiff office market during June, predominantly agent led, which is the highest monthly level since Covid started. However, these have yet to translate into take-up, which continued at a subdued level during Q2, according to Avison Young. Take-up in the Cardiff market totalled 52,000 sq ft, 17,582 sq ft in the city centre and 34,433 sq…

Two entrepreneurs have launched a new career service aimed at connecting young people with industry professionals, providing mentorship, networking and venture opportunities. A UK survey found that 53% of young people felt their work prospects were worsening. However, 88% felt that with the right guidance, they can achieve their dream career. Leapinto.co.uk is a free, online platform that will host weekly, live conversations – mixing young people with industry professionals and providing practical support, guidance and networking opportunities. The initiative was created by Chepstow-based marketing expert Kevin Mansell-Abell of That Media Group and recent Aberystwyth University graduate Karl Swanepoel, now…

Located in the idyllic Gethin Park in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, BikePark Wales, the UK’s largest purpose-built bike park, is expanding to meet the growing popularity of the thrill-seeking sport. A team of seven dedicated trail builders have designed new routes for all weather conditions, with 40 trails now available including four new advanced trails, alongside a new option that is opening the sport up to a whole new audience – a stunning new five-kilometre-long beginners’ downhill trail. Ideal for bike riders looking for a first taste of off-road excitement, the new trail, nicknamed ‘Kermit’, delivers all the…

New research from FSB Wales has found that business confidence is building in Wales – and is rebounding at the highest rate across the UK. 57.5% of businesses in Wales expect their business performance will improve in the next three months compared to 50% in England and Scotland and 27% in Northern Ireland. 23% of Welsh businesses expect their business to get worse over the next 3 months. While still a worrying number, this is a significantly lower proportion than businesses in the UK who expect their business performance to get worse (32%). The net positive confidence rating in Wales…

As part of our Paths to Wellbeing project, we are looking to give communities across Wales the tools and training needed to identify and design new routes and enhance and upgrade existing ones, all with the support of a Paths to Wellbeing regional project officer. We will work together to help promote access to green spaces for members of your local community to enjoy. You can be a core part of this flagship project, gaining a vast range of new skills with expert support and guidance from Ramblers Cymru and partners! As well as enhancing the walking environment, we will…