Author: Rhys Gregory

NatWest is offering social enterprises in Wales the chance to receive a £20,000 grant to develop a project that creates a direct social impact on a community with need. Part of a UK-wide celebration of the 20th year of Social & Community Capital (S&CC) – an independent charity launched by NatWest in 1999 – the grant is intended to create a positive impact on people who are considered vulnerable and marginalised. A £20,000 grant will be offered to an organisation in each of the following regions: Wales; Scotland; North; Midlands & East of England; South West; London & the South…

Due to high demand, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival has added an additional performance on 24th April to the existing shows at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy set the stage for a star-studded talent extravaganza as Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival skates into the UK. Sing along with Sebastian as he strikes up his band along with the Daughters of Triton as they introduce Ariel. Get tangled up with a chorus of rowdy inhabitants from the Snuggly Duckling when they get a visit from Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Relive a…

Cardiff-based Orchard Media & Events Group has launched a brand-new independent digital Conference Bureau for the purpose of promoting Cardiff as an international business events & meetings destination. Cardiff Conference Bureau (CCB) will support event buyers in choosing the Welsh capital as their preferred event destination, with Cardiff boasting the venues, hotels & skillset across the city to be a major player in the PCO (Professional Conference Organiser) and DMC (Destination Management Company) markets. CCB brings together Orchard’s considerable creative and events agency expertise and skillset, with the sector knowledge and network in south Wales to offer an independent, impartial…

The national terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, has recognised the success of its Welsh fundraisers, after they collectively raised more than £150,000, at an event marking the start of its annual Great Daffodil Appeal. Marie Curie staff and supporters attended the event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 5th February to celebrate the start of the campaign, which is now in its 34th year. Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Care, presented the four Welsh winners with awards, acknowledging their hard work in raising much needed funds for the organisation. The Llanelli-based choir, Cor Curiad, were given…

Digital marketplace Paperclip has secured £750,000 in its latest funding round, bringing its total amount raised to more than £1.5 million over four years.  Its most recent round was opened publicly to Seedrs and included over 400 private investors by the time of its closing, achieving 126% overfunding. Co-founded by Rich Woolley and Alan Small, the Paperclip platform allows users to buy, sell, swap and give away second-hand goods with nearby and likeminded users. Additionally, Paperclip has become a mainstay of UK university life – with over 40 universities offering dedicated platforms for their students, including Cardiff University and University…

A unique Irish-Welsh partnership involving life science expertise at Swansea University has won €5 million of additional funding. The extra money will help the Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network (CALIN) continue to develop the life science sector across the two countries. CALIN is backed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme and supports life science research and development in west Wales and east and south Ireland. Since it was launched in 2016, CALIN has assisted more than 100 companies and established 36 short and medium-term collaborative projects. The cross-border initiative teams a Welsh and…

South Wales Police are investigating a serious Road Traffic Collision which occurred at 18.44 hours on Thursday 6th February 2020 on the B4275 Abercynon Road, Abercynon near the ‘quarter mile’ junction. The incident involved a blue Yamaha motorcycle which contained two persons and a red MG ZR motor car. The two riders of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries and were conveyed by ambulance to Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr and the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Officers wish to thank members of the public who assisted at scene and for their patience during the road closures. Officers would also like to…

A £135m South Wales regeneration scheme took two big steps forward this week. A preferred bidder was announced for the Swansea Central Phase One hotel site. They are the nationally renowned premium hotel operator, Cairn Group, which is in discussions with a number of international hotel brands for the site. And the design of the scheme’s landmark bridge was unveiled. It is a playful and spectacular gold-coloured interpretation of a striking swan figure. It was designed by respected Swansea artist Marc Rees in collaboration with contemporary architect, ACME. Swansea Central Phase One is being developed by Swansea Council as a…

The Botanist, an award-winning bar and restaurant brand, will be opening its 20th venue to all next week. After much excited anticipation, guests are welcome to explore The Botanist Cardiff’s secret escape in the city, where every visit is set to be a wondrous occasion. The venue itself will be double the size of the 4 restaurants underneath combined. On the first floor, you’ll find the main bar, including a band stand for live music, along with the main restaurant space. The upstairs will have a secondary bar plus a big roof terrace. There is plenty of space at The Botanist Cardiff,…

Principality has posted strong annual results, with new net retail mortgage lending of £499m helping to take total assets to over £10bn for the first time in the Society’s history (£10.7bn). Principality once again provided award-winning customer service, with consumer champion Which? naming Principality the top scoring lender for customer satisfaction for the second year running.  GFK Global named Principality the most recommended savings provider in Wales in each of the past two years. In 2019 the Society’s Net Promoter Score, which measures the satisfaction of customers and brokers who recommend Principality to other people, improved to 81.5 per cent…