Author: Rhys Gregory

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) initially broke out in Wuhan China back in December 2019, the majority of people in the UK considered themselves to be a safe distance from the chaos that was unfolding. However, by the end of March we saw the UK, like other countries in Europe such as Italy and France, fall victim to this faceless villain, and on 23rd March the whole of the UK was put on lockdown with no certain end date in site.  As well as the considerable health concerns during this pandemic period, there will also be a serious economic impact as a result…

Cwmbran based Cyril Luff (Metal Decorators) Limited, one of the UK’s main trade metal printing businesses, has been sold to a new management team led by James Hill and Celine Hanley-Hill. The new owners have plans to expand the business following the buy-out by the new management team, in a deal which was advised on by specialist mergers and acquisition advisory business GS Verde Group. Cyril Luff is an international supplier of decorated tinplate and aluminium sheets. The business was originally established in 1979 by Peter Luff, Arthur Williams and Paul Phillips. On the completion of the sale, outgoing Director,…

Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, is making its Cardiff Bay and Vale Hospitals available to NHS patients following discussions with NHS Wales about how independent hospitals can support efforts against the coronavirus (Covid-19). Nuffield Health has also offered support with clinicians, support services and clinical equipment. Detailed conversations are currently taking place with local NHS colleagues about the level of support that NHS Wales needs. The immediate support will be for NHS patients needing time-sensitive surgery. The Charity will be reimbursed at cost meaning no profit will be made and this will be audited by external auditors. Rob…

Wales is set to bask in sunshine, with expected highs of 20-22C this Easter weekend. However, cooler weather is expected at the start of next week got many of us. Whatever the weather over the long holiday weekend we are all being urged to remember the Government Coronavirus guidelines to stay at home. In an unprecedented move yesterday, the First Minister of Wales, along with council leaders and authorities across Wales, have signed a letter pleading for people to stay indoors this weekend. Do not go out to meet others, even friends or family, as it is possible to spread the virus even…

An unprecedented letter from First Minister Mark Drakeford and signed by Wales’ emergency and health services and council leaders, calls on the Welsh population to stay at home and save lives over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Health Minister Vaughan Gething and Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton join the NHS, the police, fire and ambulance services, charities, councils and voluntary organisations as signatories to the letter to help slow the spread of coronavirus. A letter to the people of Wales: As the Easter bank holiday approaches, we have one message for everyone. Stay home and save lives. Our public services…

The streets of Cardiff aren’t where you would normally find HM Coastguard, but that’s set to change as part of plans to help slow and halt the transmission of COVID19. From the end of this week the government agency will start supporting Cardiff Council and South Wales Police by patrolling the city with a clear message, broadcast by loud hailer, to ‘Stay home, save lives.’ Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “We’re grateful to our partners at HM Coastguard for this offer of mutual aid, which will allow us to expand on the existing patrols being…

AST Plastic Containers, a leading manufacturer of high-quality plastic containers based in North Wales, has increased its production by 20% to aid its cleaning and sanitising clients to meet the demand for their products due to the current global COVID-19 pandemic. The company, based on the Wrexham industrial estate, has seen a surge in demand for its 5 and 10 litre plastic containers and is manufacturing 100,000 more a month. AST Plastics has also increased its production staff by 25% from 16 to 20 employees on the shop floor in order to make the extra products. The plastic containers are…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is appealing to the public not to call 999 for a Coronavirus test. Some patients have been demanding that paramedics perform an on-the-spot test to rule out the virus, according to feedback from crews. Ambulance crews do not, and never have, carried tests for Coronavirus. The Trust also reports that people have been calling 999 under an emergency pretext but on arrival crews are being asked to give a ‘check-up.’ In a video appeal shared on social media, Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “Our people are working incredibly hard to provide you with…

Many company directors will be rightly wondering if they are entitled to the same support as company employees announced over the recent weeks by the UK Government, as a way of supporting those affected financially by the Coronavirus Pandemic. South East Wales’ largest independent accountancy firm, Kilsby Williams, has been exploring whether the grant funding provided under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) can apply to directors of owner-managed companies. Mary McDonagh, Partner at Kilsby Williams, explains: “Many directors will have structured their remuneration by way of a low salary, usually at a level just below the NIC threshold, with…

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is helping people with sight loss keep up to date during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering a free subscription to a newspaper or broadcast guide via its Newsagent service. RNIB Newsagent provides plain text email versions of major UK newspapers, and TV and radio guides, which can be easily read with magnification or screen reading software that many blind and partially sighted people use. This offer means that anyone who finds it difficult to read a paper or TV guide in their current print or online formats can get easy access to…