Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans have been revealed for a new ‘hidden’ courtyard in the heart of Cardiff’s historic Castle Quarter.  Designed by Cardiff’s Rio Architects, the proposed regeneration scheme will demolish and repurpose a redundant former nightclub which sits in the space behind High Street and Duke Street Arcades. A new entrance will be created through an existing passageway off High Street Arcade.  Inspired by exemplar developments such as Soho’s Kingly Court, tucked away behind Carnaby Street and home to cutting edge bars and restaurants, the Castle Quarter Courtyard will create a new space to support, encourage and develop Cardiff’s diverse independent hospitality…

A number of major possible partners have been shortlisted to help power Swansea city centre into a confident post-Covid future. They were attracted by Swansea Council in its worldwide search for a development partner to regenerate a number of major sites as part of the city’s £1bn regeneration story. The single specialist high-quality investor or developer chosen in the ongoing selection process will work with the council on its Shaping Swansea initiative. This aims to trigger new business opportunities for those already in the city and those looking to play a part in the city’s bright future. It could include projects such…

Shoppers and traders are to help shape a bright new look that will revitalise a key area of Swansea Market. They are to have their say on two design concepts for the existing central area that is to become a location for people to meet, eat and spend quality time. One design is based on a pergola theme, with greenery and a 7.5m-tall landmark feature that mirrors the market’s iconic glass roof; the other features decorative trees with a dramatic nautical sail structure that reflects Swansea’s maritime history. People are also being asked to help name the new area by…

Brightening up a dreary January, Chapter Arts Centre is delighted to announce a stellar line-up for their next virtual comedy gig, hosted by Welsh comedian Robin Morgan. The event will take place on Thursday 21 January at 8pm and features some of TVs brightest talent including: Jayde Adams (star of her own Amazon Special Serious Black Jumper, host of Netflix’s Crazy Delicious), who performed at Chapter last year with her sell-out show The Ballad of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face); Olga Koch (Mock The Week (BBC2); The Now Show (BBC R4), Pls Like (BBC Three)); Leila Navabi (Stand Up Sesh (BBC…

Bridgend Council has revealed plans to transform the town centre of the area and is now inviting the public to take part in a short survey. The town centre masterplan outlines a vision for a liveable and vibrant place. The vision brings together enterprise, employment, education, in-town living, shopping, culture, tourism and well-being within a historic setting. The plan identifies a series of ambitious and deliverable projects. To achieve the overall vision and regenerate Bridgend Town Centre over the next ten years, four broad themes have been identified: Growth Resilience Well-being Identity Development zones Bridgend town centre consists of a…

Work to build three more play areas at the Parc Derwen development in Coity is set to start this week. Concerns were raised last year by Bridgend County Borough Council about delays in Persimmon Homes delivering the play parks at the 1,500-home development. The Covid-19 outbreak meant planned works in spring and summer last year had to be delayed. Cabinet member for communities Richard Young said: “One play area at Parc Derwen has been completed and the council’s parks department is currently going through the process of adopting it. “Plans for the design and equipment for the three other play…

Plans to transform Merthyr Tydfil’s Cyfarthfa Castle into an international quality museum set in an expanded 100-hectare public park, could draw more than half a million visitors each year and “energise the Valleys Regional Park concept”, according to a report published today. The report says the plan would ‘open new chapters in Welsh tourism, community and cultural development and sustainability’ and ‘create an exemplar project to demonstrate the force and effectiveness of the agenda of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act’. The 20-year Cyfarthfa Plan is the result of 12-month’s work by a multi-disciplinary team led by the internationally renowned…

The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has unveiled an ambitious draft budget for 2021/22 that will allow the authority to continue its journey of ‘improvement and transformation’ following the significant disruption of the past 12 months. The council’s Cabinet will discuss the draft budget report at its meeting on Wednesday (13th January) before final budget proposals are considered in February. Cllr Philippa Marsden, Leader of Council said, “The positive financial settlement announced by Welsh Government has allowed us to focus on the delivery of our key services, rather than making the type of cuts that local authorities have experienced…

The Welsh Government has today published a White Paper setting out its bold plans for a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, which will protect the health of the nation and defend our ecosystems from pollutants in our atmosphere, in law. It is currently estimated poor air quality contributes to a reduced life expectancy and death, tallying an equivalent of between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths in Wales each year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk, globally. A report on the pandemic’s impact on air quality from March – October 2020, which investigates the…

We are already halfway through the Championship season, and things are getting intense for the Welsh teams in the league standings. Swansea City and Cardiff City are the top teams from Wales and they have a good chance of coming back on the Premiership stage at the end of this season. But out of all the league’s teams, Norwich City have the best chances of returning to Premiership, with the best odds when it comes to betting on Championship matches. The Canaries did win the Championship two seasons ago, before finishing at the bottom of the table in the last…