Author: Rhys Gregory

First Minister Mark Drakeford has further strengthened the Welsh Government’s response to coronavirus by realigning key Ministerial portfolios. Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething will focus solely on Wales’ twin priorities of responding to coronavirus and NHS performance and delivery. And as cases of coronavirus increase across Wales, Eluned Morgan will take on a new role as Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language, acknowledging the longer-term impact on the virus on people’s mental health and wellbeing. She will assume Ministerial responsibility for mental health services, dementia, autism, substance misuse, veterans’ health, patient experience and the…

Rhug Estate is ingeniously using the organic wool from its flock of sheep on the farm to make high quality, sustainable, protective packaging for its new Wild Beauty skin and body care collections. Wool from the farm is also used to produce luxury duvets and mattress toppers. This week is a time to celebrate the versatility of sheep’s wool as it is #WoolWeek. This year is the tenth anniversary of HRH The Prince of Wales’ Campaign for Wool. Rhug Estate was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales two years ago. Lord Newborough, owner of…

People showing symptoms of Covid-19 in Swansea are to have access to a seven-days-a-week walk-in Local Testing Site (LTS). It will be based at the city centre’s Grand Theatre and will soon be open 8am-8pm every day. This is in addition to mobile testing units already rolled out across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and drive-through testing facilities at the Liberty Stadium and Margam. The Grand LTS will offer pre-booked walk-in appointments. Appointments must be made via the Welsh Government website https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test. Anyone booking a test will need a mobile phone number or email address as they will receive a…

A number of Welsh University towns and cities are set to benefit from a new walk-through Local Testing Sites (LTS). In September the first LTS opened in Pontypridd near the University of South Wales. Each of the new Local Testing Site’s will provide access to testing for both the returning students and the local populations. Today (8 October) the Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething and Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams confirm more Local Testing Sites will open this month in Swansea, Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth. These sites are part of a Welsh Government agreement with the UK…

Morrisons is today launching a service aimed at ensuring customers who are self-isolating can get a delivery of food to their doorstep. With coronavirus cases rising, Morrisons wants no customer to be left behind and the ‘doorstep delivery’ service will offer all customers who are self-isolating a next-day food delivery (from 10am-6pm). Customers simply have to ring the doorstep delivery service where they can choose the items for their emergency delivery. The service was previously only available for elderly and clinically vulnerable people. Now anybody who is self-isolating can: Phone 0345 611 6111 and select option five. Choose from a…

Wales’ largest coworking space, the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (ICE) has launched a new platform that will take its community online, as the business pivots during lockdown.  With businesses having to operate in a limited capacity during the COVID-19 Pandemic and a further local lockdown, there was a strong demand from the community to maintain business support and the collaborative ethos of ICE, despite restrictions. Businesses at ICE have, on average, a 77% survival rate for three years or more, which is higher than the UK average of 61%. CEO of Welsh ICE, Jamie McGowan attributes this to the…

Homelessness charity, Llamau, has been awarded a £5,000 grant from the B&Q Foundation. The charity is one of the first in the UK to receive a grant from the Foundation – which has so far raised a total of nearly £500,000.  Llamau will use the money towards expanding its Domestic Abuse services by building three new, private and soundproofed consultation rooms at its Multi-Agency Centre in Caerphilly, enabling the charity to provide more essential 1-2-1 support for victims of domestic abuse.  Demand for their service is high, and the charity has seen a significant increase in people seeking help as…

Morale-boosting support and collaboration are helping Welsh food and drink companies overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and maintain their winning ways. Despite a turbulent six months, a host of Welsh producers have proved the excellence of their products with a ‘galaxy’ of stars in the Great Taste awards. Many of the winners have been supported by Food & Drink Wales and its Cluster initiative, which fosters connections between businesses in the sector. Both the Fine Food Wales Cluster and the Seafood Wales Cluster are facilitated by the Cywain project. Delivered by Menter a Busnes, the Cywain project supports the development…

A food distribution company has clinched a £3.5 million a year deal to supply fast-growing US-style smokehouse and BBQ restaurant group Hickory’s with a sizzling selection of beef, pork and chicken. The announcement comes hot on the heels of news that Harlech Foodservice, based in Criccieth, in Gwynedd, and Chester, had created 16 new jobs after achieving record sales over the summer. Hickory’s, who have 11 restaurants including their newest right on the River Severn at Shrewsbury, have successfully brought the taste of America’s Deep South to diners from Southport to Worcester. Harlech Foodservice are now helping them do that…

Llys Derwen Caravan and Camping park in Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, North Wales, has been brought to the market by Colliers International. The global real estate advisor is inviting offers from interested buyers off a guide price of £1.195million. Llys Derwen Caravan & Camping Park is a well-established 4* Visit Wales and AA 4 Pennant park, which is set amongst three acres in a highly accessible yet rural setting, enjoying magnificent views across to Snowdonia. There is planning consent granted to accommodate 20 touring caravans and two hire fleet static caravans. In addition, there is substantial additional camping land. A large…