Author: Rhys Gregory

Character.com, one of the UK’s leading licensed character clothing retailers, is set to expand its in-store presence with backing from HSBC UK. Supported by a seven figure funding package and HSBC UK’s recently launched TradePay solution, the Swansea-based retailer will open four new experiential stores across the South West, Midlands, North, and Wales. With HSBC UK’s backing, the expansion will create 30 new jobs and drive a 16 per cent increase in revenue, with turnover expected to grow from £55 million to over £64 million by 2027. Known for its partnerships with global brands, Character.com has built a strong reputation…

The RSPCA has revealed that hedgehogs are the wildlife most likely to need help this summer in Wales – as the animal welfare charity launches a new ‘Local Animal Hero’ guide to mobilise local residents to help sick and injured animals. New findings from the RSPCA’s new 2025 Animal Kindness Index, the charity’s annual survey into the UK’s attitude towards animals, shows that 53% of people in Wales don’t feel confident about what to do if they find sick or injured wildlife. In response, the animal welfare charity is calling on people across the country to be a Local Animal…

TRADERS in a seaside town can benefit from crucial intel that will help shape decision-making and identify customer trends. Driven by the Welsh Government-funded Smart Towns Wales project with the backing of Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, Menter Môn conducted a study of consumer statistics in the coastal resort, using BT Active Intelligence Data to track footfall and demographic information. Delivered by High Street Data Advisor Medi Parry-Williams – founder of Making Places Work (MPW) – they focused on four sections of Rhyl: Vale Road, the town centre, the seafront and areas around the new Queen’s Market on West Parade. Medi hopes…

A colourful farmhouse offering accommodation to visitors to Gower will create six new themed barns on-site thanks to a £200,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, via the Wales Tourism Investment Fund. Pitton Cross Farm is set on 12 acres with sea views, sits just two miles from Rhossili Beach, and within walking distance to Mewslade Bay and the Wales Coastal Path. Owners Sam Birdsell, Jason Manley and Rhydian Manley bought the farm from its former owners in the October of 2021, and have since renovated the on-site farmhouse with modern décor and facilities, providing an attractive dog-friendly place…

Operatic icon Bryn Terfel will join talented young singers in a concert to celebrate 150 years of the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University next month. The world-renowned singer will be joined by Wales’s Archdruid, Professor Mererid Hopwood, and pianist Zoe Smith on 28 July at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The concert will include songs by some of Wales’s most prominent composers and with lyrics by some of the country’s best-known poets. Over the years, Aberystwyth University Fellow Bryn Terfel and Mererid Hopwood have collaborated on various concerts. In November last year, together with the Welsh College of…

From breaking down barriers to employment to upgrading key facilities, the numbers highlighting the success of a government-funded programme across North Wales have been revealed. The region was allocated more than £123 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with 169 projects delivering tailored schemes across three priorities: communities and place; supporting local businesses; and people and skills. With the six North Wales local authorities empowered to make funding decisions, more than 15,000 people, 4,135 businesses, and more than 1,830 local groups were supported from 2022 to 2025. Key takeaways from the programme’s achievements include more than 500 community…

RenewableUK Cymru has welcomed the publication of the Welsh Government’s Offshore Wind task and finish group action plan, calling it an “ambitious blueprint” for turning Wales’ renewable energy potential into a national economic success story. Following last week’s announcement of two successful bidders to develop 3GW of floating wind in the Celtic Sea — and a firm commitment from the Crown Estate to lease a third site, delivering the full 4.5GW — the action plan sets out clear steps to capture the wider value of over 15GW of offshore wind potential in and around Welsh waters. It outlines the investments,…

The 72-year-old cyclist who was hospitalised following a serious collision on Dunleavy Drive, Grangetown, on May 17 (2025), sadly died in hospital on Friday, June 20. The cyclist’s name is Brad Craven and his family have paid tribute to him: “Brad Craven was from Roath and he passed away on Friday, 20 June, five weeks after a catastrophic road traffic collision. “He was a confident and experienced cyclist and was with his brother on their usual morning cycle when he suffered fatal injuries and did not regain consciousness following a head-on collision. “Brad, a retired social worker at Llandough Hospital,…

 A series of concerts will be held at Principality Stadium this summer through to August 1st. To ensure that all those attending the concerts can get into and out of the stadium safely, roads around the Principality Stadium will close at the following times for the remaining concerts: Oasis – July 4th and July 5th – 12 noon until midnight Stereophonics – July 11th & 12th – 3pm until midnight Kendrick Lamar – July 19th – 3pm until midnight Catfish and the Bottlemen – August 1st – 3pm until midnight The gates to the stadium will open at 5pm for…

A money-saving public transport offer is set to be brought back for the summer in Swansea Swansea Council’s free bus initiative, which gives the public the chance to ride for free on all service buses operating within the city limits, will once again operate each weekend during the summer holidays. A total of 15 days free travel will be up for grabs between July 19 and August 31 and everyone can benefit as long as their journey starts and ends within Swansea. The council-led travel initiative is now in its fifth year of operating after it was launched in the…