Author: Rhys Gregory

Business confidence in Wales rose 14 points during March to 9%, the first net positive reading since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The data has been released just a week after the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up six points at 15%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 23 points to 4%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 9%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early…

Astutis, an industry-leader in workplace health, safe­ty and environmental training, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The Welsh company has reached the impressive milestone of partnering with more than 100,000 customers across 3,000 organisations in 180 countries. All from its Cardiff HQ and in the name of helping to make the world of work safer, happier and more eco-conscious. Improving the world of work The environment and our health and safety are fundamental to our very existence. Both require increased awareness, understanding and continuous improvement. The risk of injury, or even death, at work remains ever-present while global pressures for increasing sustainability in business continues to rise. Which…

Cardiff Bus customers are being advised of timetable changes over the Easter bank holiday period. On Good Friday and Saturday 3rd April, the bus operator will be running Saturday timetables across all of its services. While on both Sunday 4th April and Monday 5th April, Sunday timetables will be running across all of its routes. Customers planning to travel over the bank holiday are urged to check details of their routes in advance in order to avoid disruption to their journeys. Cardiff Bus commercial manager Gareth Stevens said: “We would like to advise customers that our services will be running…

A specialist Newport hospital has considerably increased its capacity with an additional 12 beds, thanks to a significant investment. St Peter’s Hospital in Langstone, which is owned and run by specialist healthcare provider, Ludlow Street Healthcare, is a person-centred assessment, treatment and care centre for men and women with degenerative neuropsychiatric conditions and Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). The hospital now offers 51 beds across single-gender units, which provide specialist treatment and nursing care that focuses on delivering positive outcomes for patients and their families. The bespoke design of St Peter’s incorporates many dementia and ABI friendly features, and the hospital…

Weatherman Derek Brockway is lacing up his boots and is back out on the Wales Coast Path for a brand new series of Weatherman Walking: The Welsh Coast. From Fairbourne to Fishguard and from Llandudno to Llantwit Major, Derek will be exploring spectacular stretches of the 870-mile path and will be joined by a host of co-presenters who show off what each walk has to offer. Speaking in the programme, Derek said; “The Welsh coastline is spectacular stretching for nearly 900 miles and there’s a coast path the entire length of it. Around each bay and each bend is a…

Preparations are underway for the start of work on a new £6.4m scheme that will defend Porthcawl from flooding and any potential future rise in sea levels. With the first phase of the scheme set to focus on the iconic Western Breakwater, construction specialists Knights Brown are in the process of setting up a compound on land at Salt Lake in readiness for the work to begin next month. Built in the 1820s and extended in the 1860s, the Western Breakwater has become world-famous in recent years thanks to dramatic photographs of the huge waves which crash over it during…

More Hubs and libraries across the city will reopen next week, offering services on an appointment-only basis. From Monday, March 29, a further 12 facilities will open in addition toCentral Library Hub, St Mellons Hub, Ely & Caerau Hub and the Powerhouse,that have remained open for emergencies throughout the latest lockdown period. Facilities reopening includeRumney Partnership Hub, Llanrumney Hub, Canton Library, Fairwater Hub, Cathays Branch and Heritage Library, Llandaff North & Gabalfa Hub, Grangetown Hub, Rhydypennau Hub, Radyr Library, Whitchurch Hub, Rhiwbina Library and Llanishen Hub. Information on opening hours is available here: www.cardiff.gov.uk/hubs Access to the libraries and hubs…

A gathering of just four households in breach of the Covid regulations had a significant impact on the lives of other people as well as those attending the family event. Of the 11 individuals known to be there, nine tested positive with another one person waiting for results.  Contacts of these cases have also since tested positive The circumstances came to light during contact tracing after a care home worker, who was one of those at the gathering, tested positive for Covid 19.  As a result of further positive tests, children in school and a childcare setting had to self-isolate…

THREE major property enhancement schemes in Caerphilly and Blackwood Town Centres are set to go ahead and will complement the wider place shaping proposals recently agreed by Caerphilly’s Cabinet. The £680,909 investment, as a result of funding from Welsh Government Targeted Regeneration Urban Centre Funds programme, will see the community breathe new life into vacant and underutilised buildings across the county borough, and its hoped, will create new employment and investment opportunities. £250,000 has been awarded to Caerphilly Miners Centre for the community to renovate the currently unused and derelict second floor of this iconic building, formerly the Caerphilly and…

While the social distancing, remote studying, and the constant lockdowns may create an impression that the colleges and universities in 2021 have been put on hold, one can still consider applying for university. Before we shall review some changes taking place in 2021, it is vital to check the deadlines. If you have missed the UCAS deadline (29 January), you can still apply for various undergraduate courses that start in autumn, which makes it possible to apply until September 2021. Starting with the UCAS clearing once there are still places at colleges and universities to special scholarship programs, the changes…