Author: Rhys Gregory

Llanishen Leisure Centre celebrates the completion of its major refurbishment programme this week.The major project has included improvements to the fitness and changing areas to update the North Cardiff facility’s look and feel, making a more attractive experience for users. The old gym has been transformed into a new group fitness studio with a sprung floor. The first floor meeting room has been transformed into a dedicated spin room complete with air conditioning and a mood lighting grid. This is already proving very popular, especially the disco light mode![aoa id=”1″][/aoa]Changing areas have also undergone a complete refurbishment. The new changing…

Accountancy and tax experts, Kilsby Williams continues to expand its tax department and invest in young talent.[aoa id=”1″]Tom Davies and Ellie Greenwood have joined the team as tax assistants and both look forward to building successful careers with the firm. The new recruits hope to achieve their ACA and CTA qualifications at their new roles.With three years’ experience under his belt, Tom is no stranger to the industry. After working for Deloitte and HMRC, Tom’s initial role will involve preparing tax returns and supporting a variety of client accounts.Tom said: “I was looking for an opportunity to move back into…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed an extension to funding for Glastir agreements, further investment through the Sustainable Production Grant and the continuation of the Farm Business Grant.[aoa id=”1″]FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The clarity as to where available funding will be spent to 2021 is welcome.”Further contract extension for those in various Glastir schemes will provide additional stability at a time of extreme uncertainty, while continuation of the Farm Business Grant will allow individuals to make important investments to improve farm viability.”Mr Roberts also welcomed additional funding for Sustainable Production Grants, but warned that disproportionate regulations would undermine…

A school ICT technician who abused his position of trust to groom and sexually abuse a child has today been jailed for 5 years.Alex Barnes, aged 22, of Bridgend, pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences at a previous hearing.He pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.Cardiff Crown Court heard, that while Barnes was employed as an ICT technician in a school, he groomed a 15-year-old girl.The offences took place from February to March 2018.The court…

Cardiff-based Sadler Jones has been shortlisted in FedEx’s Small Business Grant contest in the UK.Competing for a grand prize of £20,000, Sadler Jones entered the final competition stage by successfully outlining their ambitions to expand into international markets and their plans for future growth.Sadler Jones, run by Cath Jones, is a luxury stationery company that uses eco-friendly FSC paper to manufacture.Speaking to Wales247, Cath Jones, owner of Sadler Jones said:“I am so excited to be shortlisted for the Fedex UK Small Business Grant. I set up my business a year and a half ago and things have been non-stop ever…

The latest NatWest Wales PMI® data indicated a marginal rise in business activity across the Welsh private sector in November. The slowdown in output growth was reflective of a weaker expansion in new business. [aoa id=”1″]That said, firms continued to increase their workforce numbers and at the fastest rate since September 2017. This was largely in response to a sustained rise in business requirements and efforts to clear backlogs. Concurrently, firms expressed a lower degree of optimism towards future output. The level of confidence was the weakest since March 2013 amid increasing concerns surrounding Brexit.The headline Wales Business Activity Index…

Michael Gove today will announce a strengthening of the law and new money to ensure the whole of the UK’s fishing industry prospers as we become an independent coastal state. [aoa id=”1″]The UK Government will table an amendment to the Fisheries Bill which will enshrine its commitment to secure a fairer share of fishing opportunities for UK fishermen. The amendment would place a legal obligation on the Secretary of State, when negotiating a fisheries agreement with the EU, to pursue a fairer share of fishing opportunities than the UK currently receives under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This would overhaul the current system where UK…

Salisbury Group – the provider of building energy and facilities management solutions – received a prestigious award at the Energy Awards last week.[aoa id=”1″][/aoa]The company was announced as the winner of the Lighting Energy Impact Award for its landmark energy transformation at Cardiff Airport.The results of the Energy Awards 2018 were revealed at Hilton Park Lane in London, where the energy industry elite came together for a night of recognition and celebration of the sector’s achievements. An expert judging panel from across the industry unanimously chose Salisbury Group as its winner following a rigorous selection process.Cardiff Airport is one of…

Scores of green-fingered volunteers have been doing their bit for the environment.[aoa id=”1″]A series of planting days have been held in Rhyl by Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service as part of a project to plant 18,000 trees in the county.The Council is in the process of planting 11,000 trees at Rhyl’s former tip site, Glan Morfa, transforming it into a multi-use community green space, while a further 7,000 trees will be planted at other sites in Rhyl and Upper Denbigh.[/aoa]The extensive tree planting is part of the Council’s corporate priority to protect and enhance the county’s environment.Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s…

The firm, which has five offices across the South and Wales: Reading, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and the South Coast, saw revenues increase by 8% from £2,172m to £2,338m for the financial year ended 30 September 2018 and underlying profit increased by 18% year on year to reach £356m.Karen Witton, south regional chair for KPMG said:“In line with the wider firm, our business across the South West and Wales has had a very strong year. Alongside supporting businesses in our core capabilities of tax and audit, we have been in demand as companies plan for Brexit, respond to a changing consumer…