Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh construction sector finished 2019 as it started it, with workloads rising and activity growing at a faster rate than in the UK as a whole, according to figures from the Q4 2019 RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Construction & Infrastructure Market Survey. A net balance of +16 percent of respondents to the survey in Wales reported that workloads rose in the final quarter of last year, compared to a net balance of +12 percent of UK respondents. Publicly funded construction activity was the key driver of growth in Wales, with surveyors pointing to increased activity in public…

Four Welsh finalists are competing in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom competition with communities across the UK increasingly recognising the value of green spaces to people and the planet. Now in its 56th year, 70 competition finalists will be going all-out to showcase their horticultural skills, community and environmental efforts. Finalists are put forward to the UK final based on their progress nationally and regionally and compete across 11 categories including village, town and coastal. Representing Wales will be Colwyn Bay, Denbigh, the villages of Mathern, Mounton & Pwllmeyric and Usk. Each will be visited by a pair of…

Cardiff business, Twenty4 Fire and Security, has launched a tool to help businesses legally comply with fire safety laws. The main objective of the newly-developed software is to get businesses compliant with a simple, stress-free process. Every business in Wales has to conduct an annual Fire Risk Assessment by law. However, a huge 34% of businesses fail to keep up with this requirement, resulting in 28% of Welsh business owners being fined and in some cases, imprisoned. Developed by the firm’s in-house IT department, the tool has taken over a year to perfect, utilising forward-thinking technology to help businesses understand…

Global businesses and tech leaders have joined the list of keynote speakers for the highly anticipated Emerging Tech Fest, to be held on 29th January at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Bringing together some of the most innovative technology companies from across the UK, the free event showcases the most exciting new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cyber security and virtual reality (VR). This year, visitors to the Emerging Tech Fest can expect a dynamic marketplace of exhibitions and demonstrations, along with expert speakers and insightful panel sessions. The festival will give attendees the opportunity to experience the most innovative, ground-breaking…

Swansea’s tired-looking 40-year-old Oystermouth Road footbridge is due to come down on the weekend of February 1/2.  Its removal will make way – over the coming months – for a much broader, internally lit, covered new landmark bridge that will be part of the £135m indoor arena scheme now being built. Swansea Central Phase One will see the 3,500-capacity arena, parkland and parking created on the site of the former Oystermouth Road car park next to the LC. The new gold-coloured bridge will link all these to the scheme’s new multi-storey car park, commercial units and homes on the site of…

Marks & Spencer today, 22nd January 2019, opened the doors to its new Foodhall in Mumbles. Hundreds of eager locals popped down for the opening at 10am. The ribbon was cut by Hannah Jenkins, Store Manager. To help celebrate the opening, colleagues and customers were joined by M&S’s very own Percy Pig to help with the Golden Ticket giveaway. The first 200 customers through the doors received M&S vouchers, up to the value of £200, to enjoy in store. Hannah Jenkins, Store Manager said, “The team has been working so hard to get ready for the opening and it’s been…

The shortlist has been announced for the 22nd annual Welsh Contact Centre Awards, ahead of March’s event in the iconic Wales Millennium Centre.  The Welsh Contact Centre Forum-led awards, headline sponsored by Ring Central, celebrate outstanding contributions to a sector which contributes £650m annually to the Welsh economy. Among the 22 company and individual awards, a new category recognises businesses for innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) or data.  The managing director of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, Sandra Busby, said: “It’s understandable that nervousness can set in when we talk about technology replacing tasks undertaken by humans.  The bigger…

With the kick off taking place at 2.15pm, there will be a full city centre road closure in Cardiff from 10.45am until 5.15pm on grounds of public safety. The gates to the stadium will open at 11.30am and all supporters are advised to get into the stadium early, to avoid missing kick-off. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised toleave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at  principalitystadium.wales   before they travel into the city. Road closures From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need…

Cardiff’s successful ice hockey team is uniting with Pride Cymru to promote equality and inclusivity in the contact sport, as part of the Elite League’s Pride Weekend (25 – 26 January). While this will be the third Cardiff Devils Pride game, this weekend marks a historic occasion. It is the first time all ten teams within the league come together to make a stand and emphasise that anyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, should feel welcome and safe at the Elite League’s Hockey games. To celebrate this first-ever games weekend, the Devils and Pride Cymru are teaming…

A PROMINENT Conwy Valley hotel will reopen next week after “substantial investment” and a winter revamp. The Gwydyr Hotel in Betws-y-Coed has undergone major redevelopment over the Christmas period, including a new bar and cellar, modern kitchen appliances and equipment and an overhaul of the menu. Owner James Budgen – Director of Woodpecker Films and a former teacher – wanted to give the Holyhead Road venue a complete makeover before launching on January 31. The hotel will be open “around the clock” and offer breakfasts and local produce; celebrating Wales and supporting firms in the area, the 34 year-old will…