Author: Rhys Gregory

The Development Bank of Wales has reported a record 457 investments totalling £103.3 million in the financial year ended 31 March 2020. Highlights include: Overall investment was up by £23.2 million a 29% increase, compared to y/e 2018/19 457 investments compared to 420 in y/e 2018/19 Further private sector leverage of £75.9 million £43.4 m (42% of all investments) were to existing customers Investment in property development totals £34.1 million up by 47% from £23.2 million in y/e 2018/19 Total equity investment of £16.0 million 51 investments totalling £11.44 million in early stage technology ventures Average micro loan deal size…

Transport for Wales (TfW) has purchased thousands of litres of hand sanitiser from a new Welsh distillery that will help support frontline rail staff across Wales and the Borders. At the start of this year, Hensol Castle based in the Vale of Glamorgan, originally had plans to open a gin school in the cellars of its 17th century castle. However, as the covid-19 pandemic grew they quickly re-purposed their distillery and started to produce highly effective hand sanitiser for industrial use – to meet the demands of key workers. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, TfW has prioritised the safety…

The Welsh Government is investing £300,000 in Smile Plastics, an innovative firm which gives recycled plastics a new lease of life. The Swansea-based business, which transforms waste plastics from food and cosmetic packaging for use in architecture and the luxury design industry, will use the funding to create 18 new jobs and safeguard two more. The jobs will be crucial in supporting the local economic recovery from coronavirus. The funding will also help the company, which supplies global brands including Stella McCartney and Christian Dior, to expand and increase its production to help satisfy a growing demand for its products.…

Established accountancy practice Bevan Buckland LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its 2020 Graduate Training Academy. The launch comes after years of successful apprenticeships and graduate training opportunities. The Firm’s 2020 recruitment campaign will look to offer opportunities to individuals who have the ambition and resilience to become chartered accountants and business advisors. The recruitment campaign is a sign of the Firm’s continued investment in growth and talent development despite the economic uncertainty the Coronavirus pandemic has created throughout the UK and globally.  “We are pleased to launch the Bevan Buckland LLP Graduate Training Academy and we look…

In the early weeks after the Covid19 pandemic hit the UK and the country was told to stay at home, there was a noticeable absence of motor vehicles on the roads. Instead, scores of cyclists, runners and walkers appeared, taking advantage of the one hour a day’s exercise that was permitted by the government and of the virtually empty roads on which to pursue their chosen activity. By early April the amount of traffic on the roads was being compared with 1955 levels, when only a fraction of the population owned and drove motor vehicles. Alistair Worth is the Managing…

Work to improve junction 19 of the A55, to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, will begin on Wednesday (17 June). The junction, known as the Black Cat roundabout, is a busy intersection where the A470 meets the A55. The work will include widening the junction, the construction of safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, the installation of traffic signals at key locations and an upgrade from the current street lighting to an energy-efficient LED alternative. The routes for cyclists and pedestrians will also link with the current path on the A470 to encourage active travel in the…

Following reports of anti-social behaviour and large groups congregating at Langland and Caswell Bays a Section 35 Dispersal Order will be in place covering the area from 3pm today (Tuesday June 16). These orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 aims to ensure the safety of the public, and reduce the risk of any anti-social behaviour or disorder within this area. The order gives a uniformed police officer the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours by the issuing of a written notice. The power is preventative and…

Greggs is to open 800 shops for takeaways on Thursday, including 11 in Cardiff. The popular bakery chain famous for its vegan rolls will finally open after closing its doors in March. In recent weeks, Greggs had trialled a partial reopening, starting with 20 outlets in the Newcastle area. Ahead of lockdown, Greggs introduced a number of safety measures to limit the number of customers in its outlets. When they reopen on Thursday, they’ve implemented additional measures for customers and staff. For customers Only one adult per household will be allowed in the shop. Children can join them if needed…

On Tuesday 23rd June, Coleg Gwent will be hosting their first ever, live, virtual open event for full-time and part-time courses. With sessions starting at 5pm and 6pm, the open event includes a timetable of live chat rooms for learners and parents, across all subject areas and support services. With the ongoing lockdown in Wales and social distancing restrictions, open events at Coleg Gwent have been on hold for health and safety reasons. However, the new virtual open event is the next best thing, allowing learners and their parents to explore the college from the safety of their own home. At the…

This year’s Llanfyllin Show, planned for Saturday, August 8, is going ahead as a virtual event due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The physical show has been cancelled by the show committee due to the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and restrictions on mass gatherings. But show secretary Sian Lewis announced: “Due to the unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves in, we didn’t want anyone to miss out on the hard work and talent that gets displayed in our show every year. “We will be launching the virtual competitions early next week which will allow participants to take a picture or video of their…