Author: Rhys Gregory

The UK Government has approved the next five years of funding for the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, following a successful Gateway Review that highlighted “a number of significant successes across the Deal to date”. This landmark decision unlocks a 5-year tranche of UK Government investment funding, including £22 million being made available annually for the CCR Wider Investment Fund from 2021 to 2026.  The Gateway Review commended “the region’s focus on delivering economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region” with particular praise for “the positive progress made in delivering the CSC Foundry project”, “the strong partnership working that is…

Domino’s, the nation’s best-loved pizza company, has opened a store at Alderwood Road, West Cross welcoming 15 new jobs to the area, including pizza chefs, customer service colleagues and delivery drivers. After 23 years, pizza lovers in Swansea will now have even greater access to Domino’s firm favourites, including Pepperoni Passion and Vegi Supreme, as well as recent product innovations such as the long-awaited Vegan pizza. To celebrate the opening, the store is offering customers buy one pizza and get another for only £1 and 50% off pizza when you spend £20 or more.  In addition to the homemade pizzas available…

More than 90% of people in Wales (91%) think health research in the UK has been important during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a YouGov survey published today (20 May). The poll, carried out on behalf of Health and Care Research Wales to mark International Clinical Trials Day, asked 1,000 respondents a range of questions on their understanding of coronavirus research – especially research in the UK – and the role it had played in overcoming the pandemic. The survey also found: 34% are now more likely to take part in health research because of the pandemic 86% feel the…

Going to Cardiff? Your experience will never be complete without tasting local coffee. That is why we decided to make a list of the most amazing coffee shops in the city. Coffee shops in Cardiff are well known for their delicious brew and perfectly roasted beans. The city can offer you a bunch of amazing coffee shops that will make your trip absolutely incredible and exciting. 5 Places with Best Coffee in Cardiff Little Man Coffee Little Man Coffee is a small coffee shop located right on the corner of David Street and Bridge Street junction. The place is famous…

COMMUNITIES across Swansea are set for a million-pound boost in road repair work over the coming year. More community road repair projects by the council’s PATCH repair team are set to be carried out thanks to a £1.1m grant from the Welsh Government. A report to Cabinet next week says the cash will bring to £6.6m the total fund being spent tackling the backlog of road repairs in Swansea. Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement and Infrastructure Management, said the extra cash would be welcome. He said: “Despite the pandemic our PATCH and pothole teams have been working relentlessly…

Contractors are preparing to move on site to carry out crucial conservation work to help preserve one of Swansea’s most historic landmarks. Specialists will be removing invasive vegetation and fixing areas of unstable masonry at Oystermouth Castle in preparation for it reopening to the public this summer. The Norman built Grade 1 scheduled ancient monument is owned by Swansea Council and run day to day by the volunteer group, Friends of Oystermouth Castle and supported by a Council Castle Development Co-ordinator. The Friends group successfully applied for part funding from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund to help pay for the…

More than 500 formal responses were given to a Swansea Council survey on plans to create a community hub in an existing city centre building. The responses were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposals and illustrated that key elements to consider include making the venue as accessible as possible, having it in the right location and having internet access. The council aims to create a multi-purpose venue to boost community cohesion, opportunities for self-development and growth, digital inclusion, well-being and unity. What! Stores (the former BHS), on Oxford Street, has been identified as a potential location as store owners recently told…

Nine projects that provide community spaces where people from all backgrounds can meet, chat and take part in activities to help reduce loneliness and isolation have shared more than £30,000 in funding from Swansea Council. The grants have been provided to new and existing groups to support an expansion of Men’s Sheds in the city. The Action Shack which meets in the grounds of St John’s Day Centre in Manselton on Thursday mornings is now entering its third summer and will use its grant to further develop a community garden, add more seating and making raised planting areas. Gary Elward…

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Howard Barrett, attended his last official event as First Citizen of the County Borough on Saturday 15th May 2021, when he laid a wreath at the Town Centre war memorial during an event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Howard is Merthyr Tydfil’s longest serving Mayor, having been in office from 15thMay 2019 to 19th May 2021; the first time in the Council’s history that a Mayor has served two consecutive terms. Of course, this wasn’t intended, and Deputy Mayor Malcolm Colbran was due to take the over as First Citizen in…

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed to retain a free pest control service for residents. The local authority currently offers a free domestic service for rats, mice, bedbugs and cockroaches and only charges for the treatment of fleas and wasps. Rentokil is contracted to provide the service until 31 October 2021. At a meeting on Tuesday 18 May, Cabinet was presented with a report about the future of the service and was presented with several options including discontinuing the service, re-tendering the contract and introducing a charge for residents, re-tendering the contract and keeping a free service,…