Author: Rhys Gregory

The huge rise in demand for food home deliveries has prompted one Welsh retailer to launch a consolidated delivery service for store cupboard items and fresh produce essentials – all sourced directly from small businesses in Wales. DiscoverDelicious.Wales is an online multi-vendor marketplace specifically for Welsh food and drink producers and experience providers, allowing them to sell directly to consumers, nationwide. Until now, customers have been able to use the site to browse and purchase from multiple Welsh producers in one easy transaction, but each delivery was separately fulfilled by the respective producers on a drop-ship basis. Now, in response…

An exciting new not for profit organisation is the first of its kind in the UK to link landowners and the public to slow climate change by planting thousands of broadleaf trees. 9Trees, a community interest company, has a mission to plant nine trees per person per year at sites across the UK to help offset personal carbon footprints. “The average person in the UK emits nine tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and the average broadleaf tree sequesters one tonne of carbon in its life,” said Michael Cunningham, who founded 9Trees.org last year with fellow director Michelle Kent. “If we…

Business confidence in Wales fell 54 points during April to -52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their individual business prospects month-on-month, at -39%hen taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -52%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. More than a quarter (28%) of businesses in Wales reported operating below 50% capacity, while almost a third (32%) reported operating above this level. More than third (34%) were…

Charities and organisations affected by the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million from The National Lottery. Thanks to National Lottery players, millions of pounds of National Lottery funding will be distributed over the next few months in Wales alone to help projects most impacted by coronavirus and which support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The extensive funding packages span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors. The funding packages announced to date which will help…

Property or business owners in Bridgend town centre are being invited to apply now for grants of up to £250,000 to improve the appearance of their buildings. Bridgend County Borough Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Government on the property enhancement project. The grants are up to 70 per cent of the total eligible costs, up to a maximum of £250,000. The Urban Centre Property Enhancement Fund can be used for: Renovation of vacant properties Shopfront and signage Windows and doors Internal and external structural works Improved accessibility Utilities and services Welfare facilities In return, business and property…

Caerphilly’s Trading Standards team is encouraging residents to be extra vigilant, after receiving reports of rogue traders in the area. These criminals will offer a low a price for work, then vastly increase this, once the job begins. They have been operating specifically in the Caerphilly and Aber Valley areas. Remember, when entering into a contract at your home for any type of building work, you are entitled to receive proper paperwork. This will include the full details of the trader you are contracting with, a comprehensive list of the work that is to be done and the estimated time…

A Pontllanfraith based company is gearing up to begin manufacturing vital ventilator connectors to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motion29, based at Newbridge Road Industrial Estate in Pontllanfraith, has secured a grant of £6,811 from Caerphilly County Borough Council to purchase equipment enabling them to be ready to react at short notice in supplying connectors for ventilator projects. The funding has been granted from the council’s Caerphilly Enterprise Fund and is match funded by Motion29.  In addition to supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19, the funding will also help to safeguard 11 existing jobs at the company. Andrew Wilkinson,…

Households across Cardiff will receive a one-off green garden waste collection in May, Cardiff Council has announced. The additional collections have been arranged to help residents dispose of some of their grass cuttings and garden waste, which has built up since the service was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents must, however, only put out garden waste for collection in their green wheelie bin or their reusable garden sacks. Any additional garden waste, which is put in any other container, including plastic bags, will not be collected. We have been working to update the calendar information for residents across…

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that financial support of £60,000 will be provided to an eligible beneficiary of frontline staff working in the NHS and Social Care, should they die in service as a result of Covid-19. The scheme will see eligible beneficiaries receive a one off sum of £60,000 and will apply particularly to those working in frontline roles and locations where personal care is provided to individuals who may have contracted Covid-19. The scheme is non-contributory and there are no additional costs to employers. The payment will be made in addition to any existing benefits already earned…

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, will today set out her five key principles which will determine how education will be phased in at schools in Wales. Ahead of her appearance at the Children, Young People and Education Committee, the Minister will explain her plans for a phased approach in allowing more pupils to return to school. Schools are currently only open to children of critical workers and vulnerable children, with many local authorities adopting a hub approach rather than opening all schools in their area. School provision will gradually adapt and extend further during the next phase, in line with…