Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Chamber of Commerce is taking precautionary measures following the situation regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) and are encouraging businesses across Wales to do the same. In total, there have been 149 cases of Coronavirus and two deaths in Wales, with confirmed cases up 13 in the latest figures. However, it is expected that many more people have the virus. Yesterday, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and the Minister for Economy, Ken Skates have announced a new £1.4bn business support package to help businesses across Wales. This is in addition to the package put forward earlier in the week, and should give a…

In total, there have been 170 cases of Coronavirus and two deaths in Wales, with confirmed cases up 24 in the latest figures. Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Twenty-four new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 170, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. “As has been reported previously, two people in Wales who tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. “Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part…

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and the Minister for Economy, Ken Skates have announced a new £1.4bn business support package to help businesses across Wales. This support – extending the package announced yesterday – matches the measures in England providing a much‑needed boost for small businesses struggling to cope with the impact of the Coronavirus crisis. The new package provides retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales with a year long business rates holiday.  A grant of £25,000 will also be offered for businesses in the same sector with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000. It also provides a…

Global real estate adviser Knight Frank has topped the league table for office lettings in Cardiff for the third year in succession. Independent research by leading commercial property trade magazine EG shows that Knight Frank led the way in the office market in terms of the volume of office space let in the city during the year, and also completed the highest number of deals and had the largest average deal size. The Cardiff agency team was involved in the two largest deals in 2019, both at Number Four Capital Quarter: 39,714 sq ft let to Sky UK and 18,915…

With increased pressure on the food supply chain in Wales during the COVID-19 outbreak, Food Innovation Wales has opened helplines in each of its geographic areas to support Welsh food and drink manufacturers. Companies can contact the helplines for advice and support with food safety, technical issues or guidance on supply chain continuity (e.g. raw material supplies). Food Innovation Wales, backed by Welsh Government, is based at three food centres across Wales. The team of industry experts can help manufacturers of all sizes navigate their way through a range of complex technical and commercial issues. Professor David Lloyd, Food Innovation…

The Welsh Government has announced funding for the Childcare Offer for Wales, with payments set to continue to be paid to local authorities and childcare settings who currently receive payments for children in their care, even where services are disrupted. Childcare settings are not being required to close, and will remain open for the time being. However Welsh Ministers have agreed that where a setting is closed on medical advice, or if children are not able to attend due to Covid-19, funding will still be made available. Funding will also continue where staffing numbers fall to a level that the…

A school in Llanelli has received a Centre of Excellence award for its commitment to delivering a financial education programme to young people. The accolade, which was awarded by the UK’s leading financial charity Young Money and supported by Principality Building Society, has shown Ysgol y Strade as a beacon of best practice for financial education. Ysgol y Strade received the award for delivering a financial programme which was sustainable, effective and had an impact on young people’s financial capability. Over 40% of teachers at the school have been trained to deliver financial education and 400 students have the opportunity…

Welsh bus operator NAT Group has partnered with a local tachograph specialist to monitor all compliance across its drivers and 150-vehicle fleet. The contract will see A1 Tachograph Services accessing driver data on a weekly basis and conducting fortnightly driver and vehicle inspections. The Pontypridd-based organisation has also provided, and will continue to offer, drivers’ hours direction training. Initially hiring A1 Tachographs to complete a one-off company overhaul of its compliance following the appointment of new Managing Director Adam Keen, Nat Group took the strategic decision to retain the specialist agency on an ongoing basis. Established 12 years ago by…

CONWY companies can benefit from new services and facilities at a Llandudno Junction business complex. Conwy Business Centre is currently undergoing a revamp and in partnership with the Enterprise Hub has bolstered its current offering, including fully funded advice, space, events and incentives for firms across the county. The Enterprise Hub – a joint project between Menter Mon and M-SParc – has unveiled a co-working suite onsite, with hot desks to encourage new start-up businesses to base themselves from the Business Centre. There are also conference and meeting rooms in the building. With the reception undergoing a makeover – including…

At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. A 35-year-old man from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall. Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the incident.