Author: Rhys Gregory

The importance for Welsh businesses of being flexible and agile to survive the pandemic and thrive afterwards will be the theme of a free online conference later this week. It’s About Time: Flexible and Agile – the Future of Business is set to look at how workers, businesses and the self-employed have needed to change to cope with the pandemic, and how much of that change is here to stay. This event is organised by NatWest Cymru, the University of South Wales, Darwin Gray Solicitors and the Federation of Small Businesses. Gemma Collins, business growth enabler with NatWest Cymru, said:…

The Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity has launched its first ever Virtual Santa’s Grotto. From Friday 5 December 2020, children across Wales will be able to receive a video call or message from Santa and experience the magic of Christmas from their front rooms. The charity, which exists solely to raise funds for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, still wants Christmas to be joyful for children and families despite the fact that this year is likely to feel different for most. The organisation raises up to £1.6 million per year to fund equipment, facilities, and services at Wales’…

A team of trailer makers who sponsor Wrexham AFC were “blown away and humbled” by the announcement about the takeover of the club by film stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney which kicked off as a hilarious spoof corporate video about the club. Many of the staff who work at Ifor Williams Trailers are diehard fans and were thrilled to see that the video was viewed 500,000 within an hour of being posted on social media. After a huge majority of fans voted in favour, the famous duo have been given the green light to buy the club from Wrexham…

A closure notice has been served on The Castle Hotel, Lampeter by Ceredigion County Council’s Public Protection Officers due to non-compliance with the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020. Officers found that the premises failed to take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between any persons on the premises, and not observing to the restrictions on gatherings of persons not of the same household meeting no more than 4 people, as specified under Regulation 6. The business also failed to limit close face to face interaction between people and maintain…

Forex trading has always been a challenge to many. However, this year appears to be tougher as even this is affected by the pandemic. Add the fact the United States recently elected a new president. These factors play very important roles when it comes to trading in general. Last week, the news made everybody optimistic about the vaccine that could stop the pandemic. Because of vaccine optimism, the currency market started to liven up once again. However, it appears to be short-lived as a few countries have reported more virus cases. For just a few days, the positive movement of…

In the last 12 months, there have been new laws put in place by the FCA in Wales and around the UK concerning the trading of CFDs. For derivatives that are deemed much more uncertain, the sale and marketing of CFDs have been banned to retail customers to prevent significant losses. The FCA is one of the most recognized authorities in the world and focuses on investments and trading in over 50,000 financial markets, including the likes of spread betting, forex and stocks to name just a few. When companies breach the authority’s guidelines, implementations are carried out including delaying…

With little over six weeks to go before the end of the EU withdrawal period and many areas of agreement reached between the EU and UK in trade negotiations – but the subjects of fisheries and state aid rules still major obstacles to progress as the negotiations reach their final stages – the FUW has urged both the UK and EU to avoid the catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit at all costs. The call comes a day after Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice acknowledged on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that the sheep sector…

The Welsh Government today published its new draft Transport Strategy pledging a major reduction in carbon emissions from the transport network in Wales. Transport currently makes up 17% of Wales’ carbon emissions but the Welsh Government has committed to set new and stretching five year priorities to tackle carbon emissions as it seeks to meet decarbonisation targets. The draft strategy, ‘Llwybr Newydd – New Path’, was launched on Tuesday and will shape Wales’ transport system over the next two decades. It sets out a range of new ambitions to reshape transport in Wales, including a new sustainable transport hierarchy that…

People on low incomes who have coronavirus or have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service are now able to apply for a £500 payment. The new self-isolation payment scheme has been designed to encourage people to stay-at-home by removing any financial barriers to self-isolating. The scheme is open to anyone receiving Universal Credit and other specified benefits, who has to self-isolate because they have coronavirus or have been told to by Test Trace Protect. There will also be a discretionary element for those who do not meet the criteria but who face financial hardship…

Information about a significant proposed investment for Ffynnon Taf Primary School is now available for residents – including details of a new school block which would be heated by Wales’ only thermal spring. RCT Council will deliver four classrooms for foundation phase pupils through a permanent new-build block at the school in Taff’s Well, to be used alongside its existing Victorian-style building which has recently received investment to upgrade and modernise the school interior. A new hall will also be built for the school and the wider community, along with improvements to the existing yard area. The scheme will increase…