Author: Rhys Gregory

Employment in Wales will not return to 2019 levels until 2024, a new report from chartered accountancy body ICAEW has suggested. The Economic Outlook, commissioned from Oxford Economics, found that a reliance on manufacturing had hit Wales particularly hard. Businesses in Wales have been heavily disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Oxford Economics predicted that employment levels in Wales would not return to its 2019 level until the year 2024. In addition, employment levels in sectors such as financial and insurance, education, and manufacturing, would be lower in 2021 than they are this year. Welsh businesses will be…

A North Wales business has secured over £1million in sales orders within weeks of launching. The company has gained orders for its range of sanitising dispensers from across the UK and from countries including the US, Canada, Qatar and Sweden. Llandudno-based Sanitise Now was set up by Managing Director Tracy Williams, Finance Director Barry Roberts and Sales and Marketing Director Jordan Hurley in April this year to meet the huge demands from businesses facing up to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tracy said: “There are lots of sanitising dispensers on the market, but the quality is not great. “We…

4 Tales to Save the World is a brand-new climate crisis storytelling experience online created by Welsh storyteller and musician, Gwilym Morus-Baird and Derbyshire-based, Adverse Camber productions. Bringing the work of four of Wales’ most exciting new writers vividly to life, 4 Tales to Save the World imagines a world living with climate crisis. 4 Tales to Save the World (in 4 parts) is a series of striking online live performances showcasing storytelling with music and live technology, shining the light on some of the best new writing from Wales – Kate Hamer (shortlisted for The Costa First Novel Prize…

It is 21 years since Gwynedd-born former Army officer, Huw Lewis MBE, founded the Motivational Preparation College for Training (MPCT), with the aim of using military and progressive education techniques to help young people across the UK achieve their potential. Not only has his Cardiff-based organisation now spread to 35 locations across England and Wales, but, since 1999, it has helped more than 20,000 school leavers gain the practical and academic skills they need for civilian or military careers. Along with training in physical fitness, the courses – whose instructors are all ex-British Armed Forces personnel – help learners achieve…

CatSci Ltd, a scientifically led, commercially minded and award-winning innovation partner, has announced the appointment of Gary Lumby, MBE FCIOBS, and Stephanie Knowles as Non-Executive Director (NED) and Financial Director, respectively. These important additions to the Board of Directors will help CatSci maximise its sustainable business growth. With a long-term goal of creating 500 high-value jobs by 2030, these appointments will ensure that investment decisions are continually adding value for customers. Moreover, this will allow more projects to be fulfilled – helping CatSci meet the evolving healthcare needs of the world, through the development of economically and environmentally sustainable chemical…

Hay Festival has unveiled its ambitious free events programme live and online for Hay Festival Europa28, 6-9 October, in which 28 acclaimed women writers, journalists, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs – one from each EU country, plus the UK – will discuss and debate their visions for the future.  Run in partnership with the European Short Story Festival and Academy of Applied Arts International University of Rijeka, Hay Festival Europa28 will feature panel discussions, readings, film screenings and performances live from the European Capital of Culture Rijeka 2020 and Zagreb, Croatia, and covering issues from migration and rising nationalism to the continent’s…

Caerphilly Council is working to support businesses to operate within the new guidance and taking action against those who are found to be non-compliant. New Red Chilli restaurant in Blackwood was visited by Trading Standards and Licensing following a complaint on 14th September, which resulted in the issue of an improvement notice. The inspection revealed a number of failings which included; No systems in place to record Track and Trace data Failure to ensure the arrangement of seating area in such a way to guarantee 2 metres separation was maintained The restaurant must correct these failures within 48 hours or…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has announced the opening of a new testing centre in New Tredegar in Caerphilly Borough. This new mobile unit will provide a testing service to residents in the north of Caerphilly Borough. It is located at the car park, New Tredegar Business Park, White Rose Way, NP24 6BH and you must book an appointment to attend for a test. If you live in Caerphilly County Borough and have symptoms of Coronavirus, please telephone 0300 30 31 222 between 8am – 6pm to book. The ‘Walk Up’ Testing Centre at Caerphilly Leisure Centre has been extended…

Pubs and businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf are once again being told to follow the rules or face closure as TWO further PUBS and a BARBERS have been Served Notices in RCT.  The warning comes as Covid-19 figures continue to rise across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The tough stance taken by the Council aims to ensure that businesses help to keep visitors to their premises safe, by ensuring things like; social distancing is being maintained and that hand and cleaning sanitiser is available where appropriate. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Public Health and Protection team have been continuing their visits to all…

Work to restore important wetland habitats at Forest Farm has been completed as part of the ‘No Net Loss’ project, funded by Network Rail. The project has also seen almost 1000 native trees planted to increase species diversity at the site and 5,500 bluebell, snowdrop, wild garlic, wood anemone and primrose bulbs planted at the Cardiff Council owned Nature Reserve, to benefit the biodiversity of the habitat. The pipework feeding the wetland ponds, which are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Kingfishers, Herons and Otters, were previously blocked and the water levels too low. With the help of…