Author: Rhys Gregory

Business confidence in Wales is at its lowest level than at any time in the last ten years, a new report published today by chartered accountancy body ICAEW has found.  And confidence among businesses in Wales is also lower than the UK as a whole, ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor™ report for Wales, published today (Thursday) shows. Ongoing Brexit uncertainty is likely to be a key factor dampening business sentiment in Wales. Other concerns for Welsh businesses include customer demand, which 41% of companies say is a growing issue. Businesses are also having problems with late payments, with 30% reporting them…

As the threat of cybercrime increases, two of Wales’ brightest tech companies have joined forces to help protect businesses across Wales. Swansea based IT support company Pisys.net have partnered with Newport consultancy Wolfberry Cyber Security to offer mid to large-sized businesses a simple solution to the fight against cybercrime. Wolfberry, an ethical hacking company, has offices in London and Dubai and helps organisations identify and manage cyber risks across a variety of sectors and are the recent winners of the South Wales Tech business of the year at the South Wales Argus awards. “Cybercriminals are actively targeting businesses of all…

A restaurant at a five star caravan holiday home and touring park in Southern Snowdonia, which is popular with caravanners from Shropshire and the West Midlands, has been named Best of North Wales in the Restaurant Awards 2019 – Welsh Edition. Nineteen.57 Restaurant and Bar, based at Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, near Barmouth, collected the award at a ceremony held at The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff. Chef Sion Wellings, who took over the lease of the restaurant with his mother, Iola, confessed to being surprised when he was told the restaurant was one of 10 in North Wales shortlisted for the…

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas joined luxury property developer Waterstone Homes and special guests at its new Coed Darcy site for the official launch of ‘Abode’ – the company’s new subsidiary designed to bring competitively-priced, quality homes to the housing market. The Bridgend-born sports star, who has racked up more than 100 caps for Wales during his professional rugby career, called in to wish the team at Abode a Merry Christmas ahead of the launch of the firm’s very first development in Coed Darcy, Neath Port Talbot. Earlier this year, Waterstone Homes, which is also based in Bridgend, announced plans…

A leading solicitor has been appointed Assistant Coroner for North West Wales. Kate Sutherland was officially sworn in this week following the approval of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor. The part-time role will see Kate support the region’s senior coroner, Dewi Pritchard-Jones, in recording and investigating sudden, unexpected and violent deaths in Anglesey and Gwynedd. Kate is a director and Head of the Injury and Medical Negligence Department at Gamlins Law. She lives in Denbigh and is also Chair of Governors at Denbigh High School. A fluent Welsh speaker, Kate is a contributor to BBC Radio Cymru on legal…

Since its launch in Wales last year, close to 2,000 doctors have signed up to the UK’s first Medical Trainer Agreement, gaining recognition for their additional role as professional medical educators. The All Wales Medical Trainer Agreement (Secondary Care and Undergraduate Education), developed collaboratively by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Cardiff University School of Medicine and Swansea University Medical School, recognises doctors’ professional responsibilities supervising undergraduate students and postgraduate trainees alongside their daily medical work. Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director at HEIW, said: “Last year, along with our partners, we were very proud to be the first UK nation…

A Swansea Valley company that specialises in sign and print systems, large-scale graphics for commercial use and interior design, is expanding by making several key hires and investing in new equipment. Ministry Graphics, which previously traded as BOW Design, has recruited Rhys Jones as a graphics installation manager and Dave Brandon as a full-time designer. It will also hire a new installer early in 2020. The company has expanded into an additional 2,000 sq ft at its existing factory in Ystalyfera and has invested more than£100K in a new UV Flatbed Printer and associated kit to print directly onto any rigid…

St Tydfil Shopping Centre is hosting its final Christmas Fayre on Saturday 14th December giving the local community one last chance to pickup unique and handmade gifts. Between 10am and 4pm, the shopping centre will be filled with crafters and suppliers selling a wide range of beautiful items such as jewellery, smellies, decorations and homemade chocolates, as well as local traders offering delicious food. Father Christmas will also be in his free grotto listening to children’s Christmas wishes from 11am to 4pm. All children whovisit will receive a goody bag, and a balloon modeller will be keeping young visitors entertained.…

Martial arts expert Colin Payne has been jailed for life following a pub row that ended in the murder of Mark Bloomfield. Mark Bloomfield, 54, a charity worker who had previously worked alongside Mother Teresa, was assaulted at the  Full Moon pub in Swansea in July this year. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Darren George, Major Crime Team, South Wales Police said: “The court has sentenced the defendant Colin Payne, aged 61, to life imprisonment where he will serve a minimum term of 15 years, for the murder of Mark Bloomfield and for attempting to pervert the course of justice…

More than 200 Swansea artists will have their work exhibited together at a major show in the city’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery from this Saturday (7th December). Their 245 items have been selected from more than 400 entries in the annual Swansea Open competition. Artists include students from Gower College Swansea and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David School of Art. There will be exhibits from mid-career and emerging artists, and from participants in the gallery’s welcome group for asylum seekers and refugees. Main themes include climate change and plastic pollution, Brexit, self-portraits and Swansea landscapes. The works will…