Author: Rhys Gregory

PureGym, which has three sites in the city including at Cardiff Gate, Stadium Plaza and another in Cardiff Bay, has introduced special measures in order to stay open. This is despite pressure from UK and Welsh Government who issued statements this week to introduce social distancing steps. PureGym operates a number of sites across the country and is popular for people who aren’t looking for long-term contracts and easy 24 hour access. The firm has said they are taking every step that they can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its members and employees. The gym operator has said…

Genesis CEO, Conrad Mielcuszny, said: “The situation is rapidly changing and is resulting in challenges for organisations across the world. Our priority is to safeguard the health of our employees and maintain business continuity, and as such, we have established Covid-19 teams to oversee our response and contingency planning. These teams are actively monitoring disease progression in each country, WHO guidance, supplier and supply chain risks and prevention and containment measures, while also testing business contingency plans and building stock to ensure that we can maintain supply and delivery. “We currently have good stocks of raw materials across all our…

Cardiff Metropolitan University has pledged that none of its staff will be financially disadvantaged during current testing times. The University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cara Aitchison, has reassured staff, including academics who have made great efforts to ensure that all learning and teaching is currently being carried out on-line. She said: “As the Covid-19 threat continues to disrupt the University’s operations, colleagues are understandably concerned about what this will mean for their salaries and wages. This is why we have taken the decision today to stand by our values-driven approach that puts our students and staff first, by committing to…

Former Cardiff City footballer Peter Whittingham has died at the University Hospital of Wales earlier today. At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. The 35-year-old footballer from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and had been taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. A statement has been released by Cardiff City FC: “The news of Peter’s sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. They are at the…

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…