Author: Rhys Gregory

Ten technology rich early stage businesses in Wales are a step closer to developing their innovative products and services having secured equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales. £2.4 million has been secured by ten companies in just ten weeks since the UK went into lockdown. Those to benefit include £625,000 for Flintshire based Reacta Biotech to further develop their diagnostic tool for food allergies. Other investments include: Swansea-based Armadillo. The £150,000 equity finance will enable the provider of advanced materials to commercialise their electroplating technology. £400,000 for Cardiff based Digital Asset Services, a provider of insurance services to the…

Covid-19 is impacting many families and individuals in very different ways. But with so many of us spending more time at home than ever before, many people are thinking about whether they can move or extend to gain more space, or just taking advantage of lower interest rates. The housing market is now opening up and rates are changing yet many people are unsure about whether mortgages are available for them. TSB’s Head of Mortgages, Nick Smith answers some important questions on getting a mortgage in the current environment: Can I still get a mortgage in the current environment? Yes,…

Welsh LGBT+ charity, Pride Cymru, has announced that this year’s Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend will be a week-long primarily online series of events. The Big Weekend, which is widely known for its parade, was due to take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend. However, due to the current pandemic, the event which attracts over 50,000 people each year will be running a programme of online events starting on Monday, 24 August. Gian Molinu, Chair of Pride Cymru, said: “Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, we’ve held out hope that circumstances would improve and that we would be able to celebrate…

A pioneering new service has been launched to transform the lives of people hooked on drugs in North Wales. The Dechrau Newydd (Fresh Start) programme will provide rapid-response support and help break the vicious circle of addiction and offending. The scheme has been commissioned jointly by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The support will be provided by three nurses working for Kaleidoscope, a Wales-wide independent charity that works to tackle the stigma faced by people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues. They will speed up the process…

Farmers’ Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts has welcomed the fact that key concerns raised by the FUW in correspondence with members of the House of Lords were echoed by members across the political spectrum yesterday as the Agriculture Bill received its second reading in the house. The bill – considered to be the most important piece of UK legislation in relation to food and farming for more than 70 years – includes a clause that would ensure imported organic food from an overseas country is produced to standards equivalent to those applicable in the UK. However, an attempt to…

A £60 million marine energy project that will help tackle climate change while reviving Pembrokeshire’s economy in the wake of Covid-19 has been given the green light. The UK Government and Welsh Government have now approved the business case for the Pembroke Dock Marine project, which is expected to generate £73.5 million a year to the Swansea Bay City Region’s economy. Pembroke Dock Marine is led by the private sector, with support from Pembrokeshire County Council. The project is expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs in the next 15 years. The project is made up of four elements: The…

Or what it’s like to be part of a Chinook helicopter crew, a member of the RAF Tutor aerobatic display team or to work with the Tigers Parachute Display Team? Well now’s your chance to ask those questions – as part of Swansea Council’s Wales Airshow virtual digital celebration. Key questions could concern the top speed of a Red Arrows jet as it flies across Swansea Bay or how long it takes to pack a parachute. The council’s Cultural Services Events and Marketing teams are behind the Wales Airshow – A Digital Celebration #AtHome. And they’re inviting you to submit…

Older people’s charity, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale continues its long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable and isolated older people living in our communities amidst the Coronavirus outbreak. And now the charity has partnered with 95-year-old Cardiff resident Sid who shares his top tips for keeping busy and motivated in lockdown. Karen Steele, Marketing and Partnerships Manager at Age Connects explains: ‘It’s been a difficult few months for all of us but particularly for older members of our communities, many of whom already experienced loneliness and isolation but have had even less contact with family and friends under lockdown. Sid…

Researchers behind a major new study charting how the people of Wales have coped with coronavirus are appealing for volunteers to share their experiences. The study, which is being led by Swansea University’s Professor Nicola Gray, is examining just what impact coronavirus has had on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the Welsh population. Now the team is looking for people to sign up and be a part of the project which will help the NHS in Wales to not only understand the issues affecting the population in Wales, but also to shape support services for the future. Wales…

The end may be in sight for some of the Government schemes put in place to support businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. In this article, Craig Blackmore of Verde Corporate Finance looks at how companies need to anticipate the ‘stabilisers coming off’. The UK Government has largely been applauded for their recent help for UK businesses, with the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans (CBILs) and the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) probably the most widely appreciated. With both schemes announced pretty much immediately after the lockdown restrictions were imposed, and actioned shortly afterwards, they have been lifelines to many.…