Author: Rhys Gregory

The Economy Minister, Ken Skates has announced an additional £1.7m to help Welsh SMEs weather the challenges and uncertainties of Brexit.   [aoa id=”1″] The money is being made available via the Welsh Government’s Business Resilience Fund, which was launched in November, with an initial invite for SMEs to bid for their share of a £1m pot.   Following strong demand from companies in Wales, the Welsh Government has acted speedily to provide more business support and has now  allocated an addition £1.7m to the fund. This will enable more firms, many of whom have already approached Welsh Government with ideas,…

£2.2bn worth of new investment opportunities, which will create new homes and jobs, have been launched today (Thursday 14 March) by the Department for International Trade.  Launched at international property event MIPIM, the new projects include an array of development opportunities in England and the government’s first Wales property investment portfolio, worth £1.19 billion. Among the new investment opportunities on offer to international investors is a 444-acre ‘experiential’ resort in Oxfordshire and 3 new garden communities in North Essex, set to create more than 43,000 new homes over the next 50 years. International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said:…

The Llandudno-based centre will take over the reins at Oriel Mon cafe in Llangefni on April 1 as part of fundraising plans to open a new Hospice in Holyhead later this year. Renamed Cafe Dewi, the venue is based in the Oriel Ynys Mon gallery – which welcomed more than 100,000 visitors last year – and can cater for up to 100 customers inside and outdoors. Home to a collection of works from renowned artist Sir Kyffin Williams, it is widely recognised as the main hub for culture, history and art on Anglesey. Trystan Pritchard, chief executive of St David’s…

Last weekend, Wales defeated Scotland in a Six Nations clash, the second edition of the ‘Doddie Weir Cup’ held at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield. With the first unfolding in Wales’ Principality Stadium, attended by Doddie in full tartan attire, the Welsh and Scottish paths are crossing all the time when it comes to sport.   Just this week we have seen the meeting of Welsh and Scottish sports minds. Former Scotland Rugby international, Doddie Weir, has listed a collection of items on the Welsh-founded fundraising platform; Bid-Aid. This is in a mission to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation; a…

A south-west Wales manufacturer is on track to secure a game-changing £1 million export deal in Central Asia which is set to propel its business growth. [aoa id=”1″] Huntingdon Fusion Techniques (HFT), based in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, is a leading inventor, designer and manufacturer of weld purging technology designed to remove oxygen from welds on pipes and tubes made of stainless steel or similar materials to prevent their oxidisation, discolouration or corrosion. The process improves corrosion resistance and protects the joint strength of the pipes and tubes. The firm, a former finalist in the Welsh Business Awards’ ‘Success in Overseas…

Imperial House, the Go Compare UK headquarters building at Imperial Park, Newport, has been sold for £4.66m. [aoa id=”1″] Acting on behalf of vendor Urban Logistics REIT plc, property consultancy Knight Frank, jointly with M1 Agency, completed the freehold sale of the 26,672 sq ft office building to South Somerset District Council in a deal representing a Net Initial Yield (NIY) of 8%.  The purchaser was advised by CBRE. The open-plan two-storey office, which sits at the entrance to the established Imperial Park, is fully let to Go Compare with 9.55 years to lease expiry, with a lease break option…

Sarah Williams has launched a business to help people make the most of the digital age. [aoa id=”1″] Having spent years working on the roll-out of computerisation of the UK’s Post office network, she has set up a new Swansea-based business, Tech Connect. Her firm offers one-to-one tutoring on digital devices to help people get to grips with their computers, tablets, laptops and smart phones. “Many people have expensive devices, but have little understanding of how to use them,” she said. “This generally is not their fault as instructions often assume a level of competence which they may not have,…

BBC Countryfile Magazine has announced the winners of the hotly contested BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019.   More than 30,000 votes were cast by the public, to recognise the very best of the British countryside, including mighty landmarks, outstanding national parks, best beaches, beautiful nature reserves and finest rural pubs from around the UK. This year Wales emerged triumphant, winning the popular Pub of the Year award. The Dolaucothi Arms of Pumsaint in Camarthenshire, a coaching inn at the heart of the small community serving Welsh ales and great pub food won the hotly contested Pub of the Year award,…

UK MOTORISTS may need a Green Card if they plan to drive in the European Union (EU) following a no-deal Brexit. [aoa id=”1″] And the current European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) could soon be a thing of the past for UK citizens, according to a top North Wales broker. Niel Jones, Managing Director of Credent Commercial Insurance in Colwyn Bay, has warned businesses and consumers to be prepared for changes that could come into play after March 29. One of the most drastic being the requirement of a Green Card for people wishing to drive their own vehicle in the…

South Wales Police is appealing for information leading to the whereabouts of a missing female called Lauren Barnett.  Lauren, who is 24 years old, went missing from the Gendros area of Swansea and was last seen at 6.15am on Saturday 9th March 2019. She is known to visit the Swansea and Cardiff areas. Lauren is wearing pyjamas (red trousers and a white top), a dressing gown which has a fluffy hood with a silver line running through it and slippers. If anyone has any information about Lauren, they are asked to contact police on 101 quoting ref: 1900086920.