Author: Rhys Gregory

An artist impression showing the new, outdoor, covered, eating area planned for Cardiff’s Castle Street has been released by Cardiff Council.  The scheme is part of a wider range of measures being put in place in the city centre to increase useable, outdoor space for the hospitality sector which is trying to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The new hospitality area will allow businesses to trade safely insocially-distanced outdoor settings. Visitors will be able to order food and drinks for delivery from a selection of restaurants and cafes in the city centre via an app. Work on asphalting…

The Welsh Government has today published updated guidance to support schools prior to the return of all pupils in September. Last Thursday, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, announced that all learners would be able to return to schools in the autumn. The guidance will supports schools, local authorities and settings to implement full operations in the autumn, including new guidance on contact groups. The Welsh Government will make £29 million available to ‘recruit, recover and raise standards’, in response to the pandemic. Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Education, said: “This updated guidance reflects the latest medical and scientific advice, striking…

Wales must have full borrowing powers from Westminster to build a green recovery, says the Future Generations Commissioner. Sophie Howe wants Welsh Government to use the money it could have borrowed for the scrapped £1.6bn M4 Relief Road and invest it in green housing, jobs and infrastructure. This week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted to build the 13-mile motorway around Newport, despite the issue being the responsibility of the Welsh Government. Wales’ First Minister announced the project wasn’t going ahead more than a year ago. Mark Drakeford rejected the proposals last June, over environmental concerns after the…

Welsh medtech firm awarded Welsh and UK government grants to aid Covid-19 test development Leading Welsh medtech firm Bond Digital Health has received more than £200,000 in government grants to help it develop its connectivity and data platform for a new Covid-19 test. The Cardiff-based company was awarded two major grants in the space of a month for its innovative Transform technology – £177,979 from the Welsh Government and £49,796 from Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency. Bond is part of an international consortium that is producing a new diagnostic test for patients suspected of having Covid-19. The company…

A major warehouse unit at Severnbridge Industrial Estate in Caldicot is undergoing a £1 million refurbishment and will be ready for letting by Quarter 4, 2020. The 68,425 sq ft detached high-bay warehouse / industrial unit is in a prominent position at the entrance to the estate and the letting agents believe it will attract a wide range of potential occupiers from South Wales and South West England. Property agents Knight Frank and Jenkins Best have been appointed as joint letting agents by asset manager FI Real Estate Management, which manages more than 10m sq ft of commercial property. Neil…

A former Royal Marine is tackling one of sport’s toughest challenges – a calendar run of 496 miles in 31 days – to raise money for the world-famous Chester Zoo. The Zoo, featured in Channel 4’s series The Secret Life of the Zoo, and home to 35,000 animals, has suffered financially through the Covid-19 lockdown, losing an estimated £5 million in revenue. But Conor Davies, 27, a groundworker with North Wales-based Brenig Construction, is aiming to do his bit for the newly re-opened attraction and especially for his favourite animals, the elephants. He set out on his gruelling mission this…

All roads usually lead to Llanelwedd for the four-day pinnacle event held on the third week of July, but 2020 will see a different take on the Royal Welsh Show with members and spectators enjoying the agricultural showcase from the comfort of their homes.  As the Royal Welsh Show goes digital for 2020, show animals across the UK from Bantams to Belted Galloways are taking a week’s staycation at home. Thousands of animals that usually flock to Llanelwedd for show week are taking a back seat this year as their owners enjoy the pinnacle agricultural event without packing their wellies…

The Welsh Independent Restaurant collective has welcomed the First Minister’s announcement of a date for reopening inside venues across the sector on 3rd August, but warned that the future remains uncertain for many in the industry.  Shumana Palit and Paul Grimwood, of the Ultracomida restaurant group (who operate in Narberth and Aberystwyth, as well as running Curado Bar and Vermut in Cardiff) said: “We are delighted to finally have a date for re-opening so we can begin to move forward as a sector. Whilst sadly this is likely to be too late for some businesses, our focus continues to be…

Preparations have been made for the limited re-opening of Swansea cafes, restaurants and bars in Swansea today (July 13). A relaxation of Welsh Government restrictions means that such attractions right around the area can welcome and serve customers outside on land that’s part of the business. Customers are being urged to be responsible in the city centre and elsewhere and to: plan ahead, including travel book tables in advance if this is offered maintain the two-metre physical distancing rule respect others not gather in groups drink responsibly Swansea Council, Swansea BID, South Wales Police, businesses and others have been working…

The first Ceredigion safe zones for pedestrians are being put in place in four town centres. Ceredigion County Council wants to create safe, inviting towns for people to come shopping and to enjoy. With the slow easing of the lockdown in the county and with social distancing requirements still being important, it is necessary to make adjustments to the towns for public health reasons. Ceredigion has prevailed extremely well in its defence against the spread of coronavirus and wishes for this success to continue for the wellbeing of its citizens. Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and New Quay are the first towns…