Author: Rhys Gregory

THE transformation of Swansea’s Kingsway is expected to be back on track soon. Swansea Council is hoping to complete a deal with Welsh civil engineering contractor Griffiths that will enable work to re-start on the £12m transformation of the key city centre thoroughfare shortly. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s great news that we’ve been able to find a way through and get work back on track so quickly after main contractor Dawnus called in the administrators. “We’re anticipating all the legal approvals, financial and technical issues can be resolved very soon, enabling Griffiths to get on and complete the…

Despite wider economic uncertainty, the majority of SME and Mid-Market businesses surveyed in Wales are planning to grow in 2019 but struggle to see the value of tax relief to drive that growth, according to new research from KPMG. While 97% of businesses in the country are predicting to grow at least 5% in the year ahead, less than a quarter (23%) of them see the tax system as a key growth driver, highlighting the need for more understanding of the tax reliefs and incentives on offer. KPMG’s second annual Backing Business Growth survey spoke to 1,000 small to medium-sized…

An adrenaline-pumping inflatable aqua park is coming to Cardiff Bay this summer. Launching on Saturday 29 June, Aqua Park Cardiff will measure more than 8000 square metres and feature a staggering 72 obstacles, making it the largest aqua park in Wales. Open daily until September, this awesome adventure course will provide an action-packed experience for all, from a fun family day out or sporty alternative to the office party, or simply to bring friends together. Plus, with a wide range of inflatable climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers and jumps and slides, there’s sure to be plenty of potential…

Two major projects forming part of the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal should be immediately approved, an independent review has found. The review – carried out by Actica Consulting for the UK Government and Welsh Government – says project business cases for ‘the Yr Egin’ creative digital cluster in Carmarthen and the City and Waterfront Digital District in Swansea are ‘fit for purpose’. Senior UK Government, Welsh Government and local authority officials should now aim to bring these project approvals to a swift conclusion, the review says. A 3,500-seat digital indoor arena and digital plaza at the LC car…

The Welsh food and drink industry will receive a £22m funding boost to build on their success to date and help the sector thrive post-Brexit, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths has announced. [aoa id=”1″] The Minister made the announcement at the BlasCymru/TasteWales event – an event which brings global buyers and Welsh producers together to showcase our quality products and help open new markets and international trade deals ahead of Brexit. The new £22m investment, will be across the sector offering new support to realise business growth opportunities and ambitions and to propel innovation forward.  It…

A leading care organisation has revealed £15 million plans to build a dementia centre of excellence in Wrexham and redevelop another site in the town, creating 150 new jobs. Pendine Park say they are responding to the huge need for more specialist care because of the soaring number of people aged 85 and over which is due to double over the next two decades. According to proprietor Mario Kreft MBE, the inward investment will also provide a major boost to the local economy. The design of dementia centre at Pendine Park’s site in Summerhill Road will be based on their…

A local politician has sought assurances from the Welsh Government about the collapse of a major construction company. Joyce Watson AM, who is chair of the Assembly’s construction cross-party group, raised an urgent ‘topical question’ to economy minister Ken Skates yesterday (Wednesday 20 March). Speaking in the Senedd, Mrs Watson spoke up for workers, for suppliers, and for all impacted by Dawnus Construction going into administration, including projects in Powys and Pembrokeshire. She asked the minister for a statement on the impact of the collapse, and Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “This is clearly very disappointing…

A Pembrokeshire engineering company that specialises in design and consultancy is expanding with the creation of 22 new jobs, following support from the Welsh Government. [aoa id=”1″] InSite Technical Services, who are based at the Pembrokeshire Science and Technology Park, provide engineering and design services to a wide range of clients in the oil, gas, metals, chemicals and renewable industries. The company, which is located within the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone, has grown rapidly, nearly doubling its turnover in the last two years and has been awarded £160k funding support from the Welsh Government. This is enabling the company to move…

Guests including reality TV’s Jordan Davies and Isobel Mills, from Ibiza Weekender, boxer Joe Cordina, and actor Thaer Al-Shayei joined the team at Giovanna Malacrino’s new venture with his actor son, Luca. Diners enjoyed tasters from the menu including a pesto di rucola e noci (rocket salad, walnuts and virgin olive oil, blended for a zesty variation on the basil classic), ravioli with wild boar, and spaghetti and ‘courghettini’ – served in basket bowls of parmesan or vegan cheese. Executive chef Giovanni Flore has created the speciality bowls, that are then filled with oodles of pasta and layered with fresh…

Brave Grandmother, Muriel Best, and her Grandson, Matt Chamberlain, are taking on a skydive in aid of City Hospice and Parkinson’s UK. To celebrate Muriel’s 80th birthday and Matt’s 30th, the pair are skydiving at 10,000ft on Saturday 6th April to raise £500 for their chosen charities. Muriel, from Cardiff, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 10 years ago but it hasn’t stopped her from doing everything she wants to do. Matt, from Newport, is jumping in aid of City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, after they looked after his Dad until he sadly passed away in 2017. He says: “My dad…