Author: Rhys Gregory

The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today urged the Welsh Government to open up the housing market at a quicker pace and to match the recent changes to stamp duty land tax that have been introduced with immediate effect in both England and Northern Ireland. While the CA says it continues to acknowledge the ongoing health risks presented by COVID-19 it points to the example set in England and the lack of any evidence to suggest this has caused an increase in cases or put property stakeholders at any greater risk. Last month,…

Demand for digital diagnostics and social prescribing services by healthcare providers has significantly increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, as the NHS looks at alternative ways of caring for its patients during lockdown. Among those to answer the call is medtech company Signum Health, which has won six contracts to supply its digital solutions since the beginning of 2020 to date. Founded by former public health worker Victoria Norman, the Caerphilly-based company is one of a handful helping healthcare providers UK-wide make the move to online service delivery and has seen its technology and services more in demand than ever. Victoria…

Swansea University has signed up to be part of a new online initiative aimed at supporting students disadvantaged by the coronavirus pandemic to enter higher education. The University is one of 50 organisations from across the UK HE sector that have teamed up to create online hub Uni4Me which offers more than 250 online activities for school pupils. Led by the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) and funded by the participating organisations, the hub will act as central portal where learners, parents and teachers can access free activities to help them progress to higher education. The free resources include virtual…

Barely a year since its launch, specialist alcohol-free craft brewer, The Drop Bear Beer Co, is celebrating success at one of the UK’s most prestigious drinks industry awards. Founded by newbie brewers Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena, Swansea-based Drop Bear burst on to the scene promising to ‘disrupt’ the traditional view of the non-alcoholic beer market. And their mantra of ‘Dropping the alcohol, perfecting the craft’ has undoubtedly rung true with a gold award at the inaugural ‘Imbibe No & Low Taste Awards 2020’ – where judges awarded Drop Bear’s Tropical IPA the title of ‘Best No & Low IPA’.…

Learnings from Leaders: Forging our Tech Future (14th July  at 18:30) is a free headline event in Wales Tech Week, and features members of the Welsh Technology Leadership Council, some of Wales’ most influential figures in technology, along with some of the country’s rising stars as they share learnings and explore new and exciting opportunities for collaboration in Wales and beyond. Participants in the round table event include: Gareth Williams, VP Secure Communications & Information Systems at Thales Group, who also sits on the Cyber Management Committee of Tech UK and is a member of the RISC Council; Anne Boden…

The Fflecsi services will run in Prestatyn and Denbigh from August 3 offering passengers the chance to book journeys by app or phone and be picked up at the nearest and clearly identified suitable point to their home. Denbighshire County Council has secured funding from Transport for Wales for the services which will cater for increased demand for buses as lockdown eases while maintaining social distancing guidelines on-board. Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “As we emerge from lockdown and see an increased demand for public transport, Fflecsi offers peace of mind…

A small family owned pet food company in West Wales has beaten multinational and private equity owned brands in the Which? Magazine Consumers Association first ever dog food brand survey. Burns Pet Nutrition, based in Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, came top in the survey which highlights Which? members’ favourite pet food brands, ranked by customer response. Which? wrote: “Burns dog food impresses with an incredible 92% customer score in our first ever Which? Dog food brand survey. “Sitting at the top [of] our table, Burns dog food comes 1st out of 24 dog food brands beating popular brands Royal Canin and…

A shared transport project investigating ways of using electric vehicles (EVs) to help people travel differently and affordably around North Powys could soon be motoring as coronavirus restrictions lift in Wales. Not-for-profit community enterprise, Open Newtown, which hosts the Low Carbon Transport Project, wants to hear from interested families, individuals, agencies and businesses across North Powys about how they could utilise a small fleet of nearly-new EVs for hire in the local community. A webinar series begins next week for local people interested in directing the project, which is due to be incorporated this autumn as a new community business…

In line with the latest Government advice, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend has safely re-opened. Having implemented reduced opening hours, new health and safety measures and capacity limits in the centre, the Designer Outlet has seen a very positive response from returning guests. The majority of stores at the centre have now re-opened, with brands including Adidas, Vans, Lacoste, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Jack Wills and Le Creuset now welcoming guests. Meanwhile, popular beauty hotspots The Cosmetics Company Store and Beauty Outlet also re-opened their doors at the centre this week. A full list of operational stores can be accessed via the…

Four female activists, who are all under the age of 17, are being given a platform to tell their stories at the next Warrior Women Collective event. The Cardiff-based organisation is elevating the voices of these inspirational young women at its next ‘Rising Stars’ themed online panel event, on 16th July. The four young women on the panel are trailblazing the way in Wales campaigning for race equality, reduced plastic usage and period poverty, striving to make a difference, empower young people and make a change for their future. 15-year-old Angel Ezeadum is the Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Race…