Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff city centre streets were empty this afternoon on what is usually a busy Saturday of shoppers and visitors to the city. In the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, businesses across the UK have taken the decision to the close the doors to customers. Some of the shops including Disney and Apple closed their doors last week, but following yesterday’s announcement by UK government, many other shops have now closed. 89 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 280, although the true number of cases is likely…

Wales’ largest shopping centre, St David’s Cardiff, has published a list of the shops and restaurants that have taken the decision to close. In the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, businesses across the UK have taken the decision to the close the doors to customers. Some of the shops including Disney and Apple closed their doors last week, but following yesterday’s announcement by UK government, many other shops have now closed. Boris Johnson has asked cafes, pubs and restaurants to close from Friday night – except for take-away food in order to help fight against coronavirus. Nightclubs, theatres, cinemas,…

Police have issued a series of tips and advice for people to bear in mind during the coronavirus outbreak – and to community groups who are offering their support to others. In South Wales and across the country, there have been numerous examples of communities coming together and helping each other, particularly the most vulnerable. But with reports from elsewhere in the UK of fraudsters and scammers trying to use the outbreak to take advantage of others, South Wales Police is raising awareness of advice which may help prevent people in our communities from falling victim. Only accept help from…

PureGym has closed all of its gyms across the UK, following the latest Government advice. The popular gym chain had vowed to stay open for as long as possible by introducing social distancing measures and upping their hand sanitiser and cleaning facilities. Instead, they will be introducing a number of at home workouts that members can do via their app. They will also be freezing all payments while they remain closed. PureGym who has three sites in Cardiff, took a number of machines out of action to ensure a two metre gap between its members. They also installed new additional…

An exhibition and meet the author event are planned this summer to mark the 75th anniversary of the publication of the first of the Railway Series books written by the Rev. W. V. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Wharf Station, Tywyn in Mid Wales will host both events on Friday, August 28 when Pauline Hazelwood, author and illustrator of the Saddletank series of books, will be available to meet visitors. The museum contains a re-creation of part of the Rev. Awdry’s study, as a tribute to his contribution to Talyllyn Railway as…

In line with the latest instructions from the UK Government, Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), the not for profit enterprise running the  eight Better Leisure Centres on behalf of Cardiff City Council, will close its venues at the end of Friday 20th March 2020 until further notice. Rhys Jones, Better Cardiff Manager, said: “The health and well-being of both our staff and valued customers is paramount. We have a social responsibility to everyone in the local community to take action to protect ourselves and others, therefore we are closing all our centres until further notice.  This follows instruction from the UK…

THE Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has today outlined its work supporting businesses in South Wales affected by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The region is working with the Welsh and UK Governments to keep them updated on the current experiences of South Wales business, while working to ensure the region’s business are kept informed of the support available to them and how it can be accessed. The Covid-19 (coronavirus) disease has caused huge disruption to many businesses for the foreseeable future and with this comes the uncertainty of how they will cope. During this time, the CCR wants to ensure that…

Today Drew Jones, aged 16, of Waunceirch, Neath has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at Swansea Crown Court for the manslaughter of Mark Winchcombe in Neath Abbey on 1st September last year. Christine, the wife of Mark Winchcombe, has said his death has destroyed and changed her family’s lives forever. In a victim impact statement provided for the court she talks about the impact of Mark’s death which has also included her losing her home and business. She said: “Mark was a much loved man, he was always on hand to help anybody. That’s what Mark was doing on…

Today, Friday 20 March, the Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James AM, published a statement that set out how the Welsh Government and its partners will support people without a home during the coronavirus outbreak, and on its longer term commitment for a plan to end homelessness. The Welsh Government is making £10m available to councils in Wales to help them to take immediate and direct action to protect the homeless and rough sleepers in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Housing Minister Julie James has confirmed. The additional funding will enable local authorities to secure…

Friday might be the last day of school for most children in Wales, but children whom are vulnerable or have a parent identified as a key worker, provisions are being made to keep them in school. The Government is doing everything they can to keep people safe, but also to ensure the UK keeps on running. In a statement on Gov UK, a spokesperson has said: “The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.” However,…