Author: Rhys Gregory

A renowned stickmaker from the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides will make one final journey to the Royal Welsh Show later this month as he competes in what he expects to be his last season on the agricultural show circuit. Originally from Halifax in West Yorkshire, David Broadbent moved to the Isle of Harris in 1972 while working as a carpenter. There he met his wife and, after several years living on the mainland, the couple eventually returned to the family croft where she was born. David’s stickmaking journey began in 1976 when he purchased a handcrafted stick…

Warehouse operations often involve repetitive tasks that contribute to significant physical strain and long-term injury risks for employees. Manual lifting, constant bending, and awkward reaching are primary drivers of musculoskeletal issues in busy distribution environments. By implementing ergonomic solutions such as scissor lift tables, facility managers can effectively mitigate these risks while simultaneously boosting operational output. These versatile platforms are designed to bring loads to a comfortable working height, ensuring that materials remain within the power zone where lifting is biomechanically safer. Utilizing professional equipment from Saxlift allows businesses to transform their material handling processes into a more sustainable and…

Hazlewoods’ Cardiff office has announced Tŷ Hafan as its inaugural Charity of the Year, with all funds raised by the team over the next 12 months supporting the Welsh children’s hospice. The partnership marks a significant milestone for the firm’s Cardiff office, which for the first time will champion its own Charity of the Year alongside Hazlewoods’ wider community and fundraising programme. The initiative reflects the continued growth of the team in South Wales and its commitment to supporting causes that make a meaningful difference within the local community. Tŷ Hafan provides specialist care and support for children with life-shortening…

Dow Schofield Watts Corporate Finance’s (DSW CF) Cardiff team has continued its strong momentum in 2026, completing three significant transactions that demonstrate the breadth of its expertise across sell-side, buy-side and investment deals. The sectors covered were TMT, specialist business services and manufacturing, highlighting continued investor confidence in ambitious, high-growth businesses. Recent deals for the team include advising Innovation Investment Capital (IIC), backed by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), on its growth investment into Coaches’ Voice, a leading football education platform used by more than 4,000 organisations worldwide. The investment will support the business’s next phase of expansion, enabling it to…

There’s a specific decision playing out across London family homes right now that would have felt unlikely even three summers ago. The August holiday to Cornwall is quietly being replaced by August in Aberystwyth. Not by everyone. Not by the London families whose West Country cottage rentals were booked six months in advance at prices they were prepared to pay. But by a growing cohort of considered London families who have been doing the Cornwall trip for years, who have watched the cost of it climb through every recent summer, and who have started asking whether the experience actually still…

From Cathays terraces to Cardiff Bay apartments, the city’s varied housing stock is turning energy-efficiency policy into decisions about what to improve, sell or retain. The deadline is no longer a distant policy question For many Cardiff landlords, energy-efficiency planning has moved beyond watching government announcements. It is becoming part of the practical arithmetic of owning and letting each property. In January 2026, the UK Government confirmed its policy that relevant privately rented homes in England and Wales should meet EPC C, or an equivalent standard, from 1 October 2030 unless exempt. The planned framework includes a maximum required investment…

The UK’s largest independent travel agent, which has more than 500 branches, scooped the top accolade at the coveted Agent Achievement Awards in London on Thursday evening, 9 July. As well as being named High Street Agency of the Year (Large), Hays Travel was also crowned Touring and Adventure Agency of the Year and won the Northern England Large Agency; Southern England Large Agency; and Central England and Wales Large Agency awards in a memorable evening for the business. Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Chief Operating Officer, said: “What an incredible night we had! To pick up so many awards is amazing and…

Energy costs, changing regulations and pressure on skilled labour are altering how extensions, roof work and renovation projects are planned across Wales. For homeowners, small commercial owners and developers, earlier decisions and better coordination are becoming more important. Welsh building decisions are becoming more joined-up The Welsh building and renovation market is changing in practical ways. Property owners are looking beyond a single repair or extension and considering how roofing, insulation, heating, renewable electricity and structural work fit together. Welsh policy, wider UK regulation, running costs, regeneration activity and workforce availability are all shaping those decisions. The picture is noticeably…

Swansea’s regeneration programme is moving into a more visible phase just as new Welsh energy rules, modern construction methods and skills shortages begin to influence how local projects are planned and delivered. Regeneration and regulation are converging Activity continues across the city centre, waterfront and Lower Swansea Valley, supported by the Swansea Bay City Deal and a long-term pipeline of residential, commercial and public projects. Copr Bay Phase One created a focal point around Swansea Arena, Amy Dillwyn Park and the bridge across Oystermouth Road. Attention has now shifted towards Copr Bay Phase Two, the Civic Centre waterfront and St…

Building or extending in Wales comes with a set of rules that catch many people by surprise. Wales has taken its own path on flood risk and drainage, with requirements that differ from the rest of the UK. For developers and homeowners alike, understanding those rules early is the difference between a smooth approval and a stalled project. Getting the paperwork right is where specialists earn their keep. A consultancy like Rida Reports produces the flood risk assessments and drainage strategies that Welsh planning applications require. This guide explains the key rules and how to stay ahead of them. Why…