Author: Rhys Gregory

Eight exceptional social businesses have been recognised at this year’s Social Business Wales Awards 2019. A sustainable building project tackling poverty, a community energy charity and a school partnership enterprise were amongst the winners that took home a coveted sector award, presented by Wynne Evans at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The Social Business Wales Awards recognise the excellence of social enterprises, co-operatives and employee-owned businesses in Wales. There are currently 2,022 social businesses across the country that contribute an estimated £3.18bn to Wales’ economy. And the Social Business Wales Awards winners are… Wales Social Enterprise of the Year Award winner: Aura…

Three neighbours from Newtown are celebrating today after scooping a share of £120,000. The trio scooped the cash when SY16 2DZ was announced as a winner on Wednesday 25th September with People’s Postcode Lottery. The win saw two of the Milford Road residents picking up cheques for £30,000 each, while the third netted themselves £60,000 thanks to playing with two tickets. Grandfather Ross Varley (53) was the lucky double ticket holder. When he saw what he’d won he kissed his cheque and exclaimed: “You beauty!” He continued: “I feel like a right lucky so and so. I haven’t got a…

HSBC UK today launches a £550 million lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales as part of its commitment to help businesses realise their ambitions for growth and navigate Brexit. The Wales SME Fund is part of a wider £14 billion fund for SMEs across the UK. Since launching the SME Fund in 2014, HSBC has committed more than £60 billion to UK SMEs as part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate, evolve and grow. The HSBC UK 2019 Fund includes increased ring-fenced pots for international businesses and for the agriculture sector. The allocation…

Fully immerse yourself in a 70s themed murder mystery evening at Llangoed Hall Hotel this Halloween. [aoa id=”1″] Guests are encouraged to get into character and enjoy an evening of mystery, run by Big Monty Productions whilst tucking in to a delicious three-course meal. The event will take place on Saturday 2nd November from 7pm priced at £45pp. Those that don’t want to worry about getting a taxi home can enjoy a room for as little as £150.00. The hotel’s restaurant has been listed as one of the UK’s Top 50 Places to Eat in the Good Food Guide. The…

ARCHITECTS have spoken of their pride at designing a revolutionary new National Football Development Centre for Wales. Wrexham-based Lawray Architects attended the launch of the cutting-edge £5million facility in Gresford on Sunday (September 22). Directors David Hughes, who hails from the town, and Keith O’Hanlon worked with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Wrexham County Borough Council, Glyndwr University and the Welsh Government to create the Colliers Park development. Delivered by Wrexham-based Read Construction, the development was project managed by Just Solutions. The high-class training facilities include two FIFA-standard grass pitches, a 3G pitch, changing facilities, learning suites, a dedicated…

Netflix’s Sex Education star Connor Swindells and TV presenter and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury are encouraging the nation to join Bowel Cancer UK’s Walk Together in Cardiff on Saturday 28 September to help fund the charity’s vital work in Wales. The five-mile circular route of Cardiff Bay, will pass iconic landmarks such as the Welsh Millennium Centre, the Senedd and the Barrage. It’s a perfect opportunity to bring people together to show their support for those undergoing treatment, remember loved ones and raise funds to help stop people dying from bowel cancer in the country. Alternatively, people affected by bowel…

Award winning South Wales law firm, Watkins & Gunn, has been giving back to the local community by donating over £45,000 to 12 different local charities.  Through ‘Watkins & Give’, the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, it has so far surprised 10 charities with a mystery donation. There are 2 further mystery donations to go over the coming weeks as part of its ’12 days of Giving’ initiative. With offices in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool, the firm (with input from the staff) chose 12 local charities – Alzheimer’s Society, City Hospice, Kidney Wales, MIND, Richmond House (Diabetic Centre), Shelter Cymru, Sparkle, Tenovus, The Silverlining Brain Injury  Charity, The Wallich, Wooden Spoon the Children’s Charity of…

The Cardiff Design Festival is returning to venues throughout the city from 10 to 13 October 2019 after a nine-year hiatus. With the aim of celebrating and showcasing Cardiff’s thriving creative scene, 32 events are planned across the capital. The festival programme was developed after a call out earlier this year for the local creative community to submit ideas for potential events, speakers and collaborations. The programme of events, which include exhibitions, talks, socials and workshops, has been curated and hosted by the local design community to reflect all aspects of design. The festival’s headline event – It Will Glow…

With a development ethos to ‘Achieve, Aspire and Grow’, Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) has created a successful Apprenticeship Programme that has laid solid foundations for the future. [aoa id=”1″] LGIM’s investment in people development has resulted in the company being shortlisted for the Large Employer of the Year Award at next month’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, the annual celebration of outstanding achievement in training and apprenticeships. Thirty-four finalists in a dozen categories are in the running for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which will be presented at a high-profile ceremony at the new International Convention Centre Wales, Newport…

Amanda Dorel, regional director for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in Wales, discusses the practical ways in which local businesses can get themselves in shape for the festive season. Whisper it quietly, but this month saw us cross the threshold and enter the 100-day countdown to Christmas. While for consumers the festive season may feel a long, long way off, many businesses across Wales will be deep in planning as they gear up for one of the busiest trading periods of the year. From the hospitality businesses through to the retail sector, December’s celebrations are a major undertaking. But with retail…