Author: Rhys Gregory

There has been a rise in recent days in the average number of positive COVID-19 cases within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, with a marked increase within Cardiff itself. The current infection rate for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan stands at 10.9 per 100,000, the highest it’s been since early June. Although daily fluctuations in the figures are to be expected, the number of new cases in Cardiff has, over the past 7 days, risen to 14.0 per 100,000 of the population.  This increase has seen local case numbers shift from being significantly below the average in England to…

The Welsh Government’s bespoke Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) is providing crucial support to the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of professional bakery equipment, Minister Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has announced. Mono Equipment, based in Swansea, received £108,000 from the fund to help sustain jobs at the company and to protect it from the severe impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The ERF, which is part of the Welsh Government’s £1.7bn support package for businesses, is providing thousands of companies across Wales with significant financial support and complements the help provided by the UK Government. To date, more than…

Findings of the Wales Tourism Business COVID-19 Barometer published this week shows that although Wales has had a busy few weeks in welcoming guests, an extended period of staycations through the autumn is needed to boost business. The Barometer results indicate that 78% of businesses are open with 51% of those open operating at full capacity.  Whilst 80% of open self-catering businesses are fully open 43% of serviced accommodation is fully open and that is lower for attractions, hostels and activity providers. 11% of open businesses have had more customers since reopening than they would normally have at this time of…

Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates is encouraging people to look at the preferred options for changes along the A483 in Wrexham and to have their say on these important proposals. The A483 is one of the key connecting routes between North and South Wales, and between North Wales and the Midlands.  It is an important route for tourists travelling to the region, and for freight travelling from Europe, UK and Ireland. Changes need to be introduced to address congestion at the junctions along the A483 and the impact this is having on the economy of Wrexham and wider…

Employee experience is significant to an organization’s success. Employee experience spans from the application process and continues through their onboarding to years after they exit. Employers need to create a holistic approach to the employee’s feelings regarding work life, especially in these changing times.  Business transparency is key to creating an exceptional employee experience. Despite the size of your business, the most effective way to implement and maintain transparency is to have the right communication tools. Excellent employee experience is beneficial to acquiring and retaining top talent in today’s competitive market.  Improving employee experience is a continuous process in an…

John Bogle died in 2019, at the age of 89. You might not have heard of him, but he was a successful investor. The founder of Vanguard was also known as the father of index funds. He could have been a billionaire quite easily, but he was more interested in the upliftment of others rather than himself. He is no longer with us, but his advice for investors will always be helpful, especially for newcomers to the investment market. So, here are some of the best tips from the Vanguard founder. 1. His Advice About Stock Market John Bogle said,…

While it may be tempting to spend some extra money on your friends and family this year, you will want to consider your investment opportunities before squandering it all away. Keeping some money aside for a rainy day is an excellent idea but what you want to do is let your money work for you. By investing in the right areas, you can easily get amazing returns. The trick to financial welfare is not working extra hard or earning extra money. It is in fact, knowing where to invest your money. By getting into the habit of investing some extra…

‘PGI Welsh Lamb is a family affair that must be protected’ is the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ key message ahead of Love Lamb Week (1-7 September). Love Lamb Week was set up in 2015 by the late Rachel Lumley, a passionate Cumbrian sheep farmer who campaigned for lamb to get the attention it deserves. Speaking from his North Wales farm, Union President Glyn Roberts said: “ Our Welsh lamb is a family affair from start to finish. From the Welsh family farms who produce it,  to our consumers who enjoy coming together round the table to eat. But we must…

A social care leader has given a “cautious” welcome to news that indoor care home visits are being allowed again in Wales from August 29. But Mary Wimbury, the chief executive of Care Forum Wales which represents nearly 500 providers, stressed the need for the visits to be properly “risk assessed” so that they are done safely in a way that did not place residents, families or staff at risk. Back in March Care Forum Wales urged care homes to lockdown – well ahead of the Welsh Government advice to do so. At the same time they launched a campaign to…

A rapidly expanding Welsh utility company has invested £1.5 million and created 20 jobs in recent months. Arch Utility Services of Porth is outstripping its forecasts as business continues to grow, despite the pandemic. The company is spreading its wings and opening new depots in the West of England and sites in the Midlands are being explored. Managing Director Damian Tranter said that the company had invested over £1.5 million in equipment and now had a workforce of over 50, around 20 of these positions being created  in the last 3 months. “In recent months we have added two new…