Author: Rhys Gregory

Epic Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto V is this week’s free game that people can download and play at home. Every week, Epic Games has been releasing a free mystery available without charge in its online store. The games are available for PCs and Macs. Originally released in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V is made by Rockstar Games and is one of the all time top selling games. It has an age rating, meaning it is only suitable for those ages 18 and above. The game made available for download, Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition, includes…

As members of the public ‘reach for the bleach’ to rid their homes of germs following the COVID-19 outbreak, an increasing amount of chemical-based products are making their way into the communal water supply, subsequently reducing the overall water quality. Pioneering biosciences research company, Genesis Biosciences, has this week launched a new range of wastewater treatment (WWT) products, specifically designed to combat this issue following more than two years of research into specific micro-organisms. The environmentally responsible technology has been launched in the UK and Italy and will roll out across Europe and America throughout 2020. Available in a variety…

With working from home or remotely set to become the new norm for the foreseeable future, companies are looking at new and innovative ways to keep their workforces engaged. Last week, the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, announced plans to continue the lockdown in Wales for the next three weeks. In a report due out later today on the road out of lockdown, advice is still expected to be that if you can work from home or away from the office that you should do so. One such company looking at how it communicates with workers is Dŵr Cymru…

A plan to breathe new life into the long derelict North Wales Hospital site in Denbigh has reached an important milestone. After a successful consultation period, the planning application has been submitted to Denbighshire County Council to redevelop the site by building 300 new homes as well as facilities for local businesses, shops and leisure activities. This will enable the restoration and conversion of the magnificent central section of the Grade Two Star-listed former psychiatric hospital as part of a 10 year project. If granted the ambitious scheme will provide a £75 million boost to the local economy and create…

A pioneering exercise programme for kids has been launched in North Wales amid fears the Covid-19 lockdown could lead to a huge increase in childhood obesity. Bangor University’s new bilingual Dynamic Dudes video series is now available free online and is proven to get four to 11-year-olds moving – studies show over half a mile in a 20-minute spell. According to health experts, a third of children are already overweight when they start at primary school and there is mounting concern that the coronavirus restrictions could make matters even worse. The latest version of the innovative programme, created by the…

A UK-wide community of independents and freelancers is set to hold its third annual ‘Freelance Heroes Day’ in a bid to support Wales’ 80,000 freelancers. On Saturday, 16th May the group, Freelance Heroes, will hold #FreelanceHeroesDay to unite the self-employed community and champion the individual, with this year’s theme focusing on the person behind the freelancer. As the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme begins to be rolled out earlier than planned there is a growing concern that the body of workers that make up roughly 15% of UK employment may be the first financially at risk, with many seeing their…

Funding announced by Creative Wales for Grassroots Music venues as part of the Welsh Government’s £18m support for the cultural sector has now been fully allocated. A total of £401,551.39 funding has now been allocated to 22 Grass Roots Music businesses across Wales and was created to assist the music industry during the challenges surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak. Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We’ve listened to our many stakeholders and we understand that these are uncertain times for businesses and organisations across Wales and fully recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges Coronavirus is having on…

An expert team has been established to support North Wales businesses through the ongoing coronavirus crisis. DBF, known previously as Deeside Business Forum, has set up a Business Advisory Team to provide help to organisations throughout the region facing difficulty as Covid-19 continues to impact on trading and cash flow. The specialist team of volunteer advisors will be on hand to businesses across North Wales to help with accessing loans and grants, strategic planning and issues such as legal and HR. Advisers will be able to liaise with businesses seeking support and direct them to the relevant services. The service…

A Welsh pet supplies firm is continuing to serve animal lovers across the UK thanks to a £1million Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan from Lloyds Bank. Pet Place, which owns five superstores across North Wales, has successfully scaled up its online and click + collect services after a 600 per cent increase in online orders meant it needed to change its operating model in the first weeks of lockdown. With stores experiencing reduced footfall, the seven-figure CBILS loan has enabled the business to ramp up its online activity. As well as supporting a relaunch of its website, the…

Engineers at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) have been involved in the rapid development of a highly efficient 3D printed jet Venturi based respiratory support system. The project team came together following calls by Welsh Government and industry to develop rapidly manufactured CPAP solutions to aid SARS-CoV-2 patients with breathing difficulties. The team (assembled a little over a month ago), is being led by Mr Graham Howe and Mr Luca Pagano from MADECymru along with Professor Peter Charlton, Mr Richard Morgan and Mr John Hughes from the School of Engineering. The team assembled staff with experience in the…