Author: Rhys Gregory

The closing date for St Tydfil Shopping Centre’s Pride of Merthyr photography competition is Friday 31st August, so there’s still time for the local community to submit pictures of their favourite places in the Merthyr area for the chance to win a selection of prizes. [aoa id=”1″] This is the third year St Tydfil Shopping Centre has launched the competition and previous entries have showcased Cyfartha Castle and its grounds, Brecon Railway, Cefn Coed Viaduct, and many other fantastic locations. In 2017, a photo taken by Sadie Cook of Pont-y-Cafnau Bridge, the oldest surviving iron bridge in the world, was…

A Newport-based accountancy firm has appointed an experienced auditor as it continues to grow its client base. HSJ Audit, the assurance arm of HSJ Accountants, has appointed Andrew Hill to the role of Senior Statutory Auditor after a successful first half of the year. [aoa id=”1″] Robyn Hughes, a Partner at HSJ, spoke of Andrew’s appointment: “To secure Andrew’s services is fantastic news for our business and our clients. We are extremely lucky to have another experienced professional join our ranks and help to continue delivering excellent service to our clients. “Andrew will oversee the delivery of our audit and…

Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise has pledged support for new enterprises in Caerphilly – for the fifth year in a row. The Business Start-Up programme, funded jointly by Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and Caerphilly County Borough Council, has provided start-up grants to 64 businesses and created 79 jobs since its launch in 2014. The scheme has a high success rate with 86% of start-ups trading two years after launching. Recent start-ups  include a ‘cat hotel’, a men’s clothing merchandiser, a web design and photography business and a hair stylist, and many other new ventures. Martin Palmer of…

Following recently unveiled improvements to Cardiff Airport’s terminal facilities, a brand new car parking feature has been launched that will add even more ease to customers’ journey through the Airport. [aoa id=”1″] Meet & Greet is a car parking service that offers customers a more personal touch and many benefits linked to taking the stress out of travel. Priced competitively and in line with our other car park products, it has been introduced following the recent passenger growth at Cardiff Airport and complements recent improvements to the terminal, which include a brand new departures area overlooking the airfield, two…

Rhug Estate is set to make retail history this week as Lord Newborough breaks new ground again by opening a Drive Thru to complement the Bistro, Takeaway and Farm Shop at the entrance to Rhug farm. It is believed to be the first Drive Thru, set up on a farm, in the UK. [aoa id=”1″] The farm is renowned for its quality organic meat including: beef, lamb, chickens, turkeys, geese, wild bison, and Japanese Sika deer. The new drive thru is positioned at the entrance to the farm, situated on the busy A5 road running in to north Wales, two…

Private sector firms in Wales recorded a further rise in business activity at the start of the third quarter, according to the NatWest PMI®, continuing a trend that has been observed since August 2016. Moreover, the rate of growth picked up from June. The acceleration was driven by a sharper rise in new business and a return to growth in employment, with the former contributing to an improvement in business confidence. Inflationary pressures eased, but remained elevated nonetheless.  [aoa id=”1″] The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the combined output of the manufacturing and…

A new apprenticeship programme helping young people in Ceredigion get valuable training and work experience is being launched by Ceredigion County Council. The programme is open to applications from today (Monday, 13 August) until Monday, 10 September 2018. Apprenticeship opportunities are being offered within the Social Care, Human Resources and Youth Work teams. Apprentices will work closely with experienced members of staff over a 12 month period, study towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification and have a dedicated mentor to support them on the job. Ceredigion County Council has worked closely with Unison to develop its programme in line with…

Rent Smart Wales, the registration and licensing authority for all landlords and agents with property in Wales, has developed a new fire safety course for landlords. Developed in conjunction with Wales’ three fire authorities -South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the online course aims to increase landlords fire safety knowledge and make them aware of their legal obligations to ensure their tenants and properties are protected from the potentially devastating effects of fire. [aoa id=”1″] The course, available on the Rent Smart Wales website, is the first online…

Wales’ first Catapult, the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, will open its South East Wales-based Innovation Centre in early 2019, it was announced last week. [aoa id=”1″] The announcement made by Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, also confirmed that the UK’s newest Catapult will receive £51 million of grant funding from the £780m investment in the internationally renowned Catapult network announced by the Chancellor Philip Hammond today as part of the Government’s industrial strategy.  This builds on the £180m announced by the Prime Minister last month for centres in the North East last month, taking the total of additional…

Cardiff & Vale Health Charity recently received a cheque for an amazing £12,123 which was raised by those who took part in the NHS at 70 bed push, 5k and 10k at Cardiff Bay earlier this year. Hundreds of people turned out to take part in the NHS at 70 bed push and 5k and 10k run at Cardiff Bay on 20 May 2018. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Sixteen teams took part in the bed push challenge at Cardiff Bay Barrage, with wonderfully decorated beds and team spirit a plenty.  Almost 300 people took part in the 5k and 10k run around the…