Author: Rhys Gregory

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information to track down the owner of a second extremely thin pony rescued from Gelligaer Common. Deputy chief inspector Gemma Black attended Gelligaer Common on Friday (7 February) with assistance from Redwings, The British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare and the local authority, following concerns made for the pony – aged around nine months. Gemma said: “After some time searching we found the youngster who was clearly extremely thin. “This pony is now in our care and is receiving treatment and the appropriate care. At first he wasn’t eating, but on Monday (10 February)…

2020 is already proving an opportunity for new beginnings; the start of a new decade in which to do business with a sense of certainty in place. Undoubtedly the Welsh economy, like other parts of the UK, faced significant headwinds in 2019 but has emerged out the other side with ambitious objectives in mind. Our monthly Business Barometer analysis, which measures business sentiment across Wales, provides a reliable litmus test of current economic conditions. Notably, we’ve already seen an uptick in business confidence at the start of 2020 – January’s reading marked the most positive outlook in six months –…

Talyllyn Railway begins the new season by running three trains a day during the school half term week, which runs from Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23. The renowned Kings Café at Wharf Station remains open throughout the year for breakfasts, lunches and snacks and the Railway Shop next door is also open for most of this time. During the winter months of November through to February, volunteers and staff are busy with track and other maintenance tasks without the daily services running. However, there are special services over Christmas, with Santa Special Trains and the New Year, when…

When multi-Platinum singer-songwriter James Blunt plays to his audience at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, on Friday 21 February, he will be doing more than making great music. The former British Army Officer will also be fundraising for Help for Heroes, a cause close to his heart, with volunteers from the charity collecting donations from the generous concertgoers attending his international Once Upon A Mind tour. The funds raised at the concerts will add to the money that the chart-topping superstar has also pledged to Help for Heroes from the proceeds of his heart-breaking ballad, Monsters. Working with Welsh songwriter Amy Wadge,…

Fletcher Morgan have acquired Heron Foods first site in Newport at the former Ebbw Bridge Club on Cardiff Road in Newport. The newly developed ‘West Point’ consists of 26 apartments above a 3,500 sqft new Heron Foods store and a smaller commercial unit currently under offer to a well-known Charity Shop. Matthew Jones, Fletcher Morgan, stated “It is great to see such a large-scale development on a site that sat derelict for a number of years. The prominent roadside location and demographics of the surrounding area proved an attractive offer for Heron Foods.” Heron Foods, which is owned by B&M,…

A RECORD number of Welsh food producers will be showcasing their latest fare at a high profile expo event, including a new vegan burger from one of the region’s most well-known foodie firms. The Harlech Foodservice Food and Drink Expo 2020, now in its 42nd year, is expected to welcome more than 2,000 visitors and be attended by more than 160 suppliers. The two-day trade event is being held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Tuesday February 25 and Wednesday February 26. At the heart of the expo is a designated area, known as Welsh Street, which has been created…

On Wednesday 11th March, Honest Burgers Cardiff will host an ‘Honesty Box Day’ in aid of three local charities.   The Honesty Box Day rules are simple: head to Honest Burgers Cardiff between 11:30am and 4:30pmand pay what you like for your meal and drinks – including the newly-launched Cardiff local special in collaboration with Tiny Rebel Brewery which combines Honest beef with candied bacon, Hafod organic cheddar, Cwtch leeks, mustard mayo, lamb’s lettuce and pickles.   During the Honesty Box Day, 100% of the proceedings will go straight to three amazing local charities. When dining, customers will have the opportunity to stick a sticker on the donations…

Increased optimism from buyers and sellers has resulted in a pick-up in sales activity in the Welsh housing market, according to the January 2020 RICS UK Residential Market Survey, with both the number of agreed sales and new homes being listed for sale rising over the month.  The number of homes coming to the market in Wales increased only modestly in January, as a net balance +7% of respondents reported a rise. Notably though, this was the second month in a row that the balance of respondents in Wales said that the number of instructions to sell increased, after a…

Major changes have been announced by ESTnet today as part of ambitious new plans to boost the profile of the Welsh technology industry. After nearly 20 years of representing and championing Wales’ technology industry, the organisation has announced it will adopt a new identity of Technology Connected, along with several new, high profile additions to strengthen its board. The new board members bring a wealth of experience in technology and business, joining the organisation from some of the UK’s biggest technology brands. The new board appointees are; Katy Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Business in Focus– Katy is the Chief Executive of Business…

Inspiretec, a leading global technology partner based in Cardiff has secured a multi-million pound facility with NatWest, in order to refinance historical banking facilities. The significant refinance deal was supported by Gambit Corporate Finance, which acted as lead financial advisor to Inspiretec. Inspiretec is a leading global technology partner for travel agents, tour operators, loyalty brands, hotels, conference destinations and tourism organisations. The group’s complementary market leading software products, including the Travelink end-to-end booking and reservation system and the Holistic travel CRM system, provide the only full stack solution available to the Travel & Hospitality sector. The refinance will provide…