Author: Rhys Gregory

As some Welsh businesses face higher business rates from this month, CAMRA is calling for specific measures to help save Welsh pubs from extinction. The Government’s business rates multiplier came into force on 1 April. Despite the extension of the High Street Rates Relief Scheme for 2019/20 to support high street businesses, more needs to be done to make the business rates system is fairer for pubs. CAMRA is, therefore, calling on Welsh Ministers to introduce a permanent pub-specific rate relief to prevent the avoidable loss of community pubs. CAMRA Director for Wales Chris Charters said: “Pubs are at the…

A Denbighshire renewable energy company has won a prestigious green energy award at a major national awards ceremony for the second year running. [aoa id=”1″] Hafod Renewables, from Denbigh, has once again been named Wales’s top Renewable Heating Initiative (RHI) Installer of the Year at the Wales Energy Efficiency Awards in Cardiff. The accolade, which covers air and ground source heating systems, biomass and solar thermal schemes, came at a glittering occasion at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff when Hafod were also in the top three Solar Installers in Wales. David Jones, Managing Director of Hafod Renewables, said: “We’re delighted…

Up to 15 new jobs could be created and significant investment promised following the acquisition of a Machynlleth-based company by one of the fastest growing firms in the global telematics industry. [aoa id=”1″] Plant-i, a leading Welsh provider of tracking and telemetry solutions to the plant and construction sectors, has been acquired by Crewe-based Radius Payment Solutions, the group behind the telematics and fuel card brands Kinesis and UK Fuels. The deal will enable Plant-i to expand its business and increase its current 27-strong workforce considerably over the next 12 months, with up to 15 employees required in account management, sales and…

A range of exciting new residents are set to greet visitors to popular Swansea attraction Plantasia. When the destination relaunches on April 13 with a dynamic new rain forest theme you will be able to get up close and personal with exhibits such as spectacled caiman crocodiles and red-bellied piranhas. Adult crocodiles are known to have the strongest bite ever measured; carnivorous piranha thrive thanks to their speedy powerful jaws and super-sharp teeth. Nearby, a crawl-tunnel leads to a ground-level viewing bubble which takes the visitor into the heart of meerkat country. [aoa id=”1″] Highest standards of animal care will…

Wales’ largest theme park, Oakwood, is giving one lucky primary school class the chance to win a trip to the park and become one of the first to try out its brand-new ride ‘Dizzy Disk’. [aoa id=”1″] The family attraction, located in the heart of Pembrokeshire, has launched a competition inviting primary pupils from Pembrokeshire to bag themselves a thrilling trip for their entire class. As well as spending a day at the park, the winning class will be one of the first to ride ‘Dizzy Disk’, an exciting new family ride which will see riders face outwards as they…

Renowned Scandinavian restaurateur, Claus Meyer, visited food, hospitality and catering students at Cardiff Metropolitan University last month to discuss how he made Danish food a global sensation as part of the Nordic Food movement.  [aoa id=”1″] Over 80 people attended the session which was organised by Cardiff Met’s ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre – a unique learning hub which has helped the university establish a reputation as one of the leading institutions in the fields of food science, food technology and food safety. Students attended from a variety of further and higher education institutes including Cardiff Met’s own cohort of…

Swansea RFC Director of Rugby Richard Lancaster has confirmed that he will be stepping down at the end of the season bringing to end a 5-year spell at the Club. [aoa id=”1″] Richard has decided that now is the right time to move on and concentrate on his new employment opportunities as well as spending more time with his young family. Director of rugby Lancaster has done an outstanding job over the past 5 season that has enabled the club to build a squad, keeping Swansea above the relegation argument despite a testing start. “I have enjoyed the position immensely,…

House prices across Shropshire and mid Wales are up with Powys leading the way. This is good news for those looking to sell their property, according to local Estate Agents, Roger Parry & Partners. According to the UK House Price Index prices in Powys are leading the way with a 7.5 per cent rise over the past year, closely followed by Telford with a 6.3 per cent increase. Shropshire’s average price have also risen by 2.8 per cent over the past 12 months. Peter Daborn MRICS, Partner in Roger Parry & Partners Shrewsbury office said: “This latest news on house…

Entrepreneurs in Carmarthen have a new state-of-the-art business incubation space at their disposal, with the launch of an Enterprise Hub, run by Business In Focus at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin – a new creative and digital centre based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s campus in the town. [aoa id=”1″] Lee Waters AM, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, cut the ribbon on the hub, based at Yr Egin, saying the site will bring exciting opportunities for start-ups in the region. The Enterprise Hub is one of a pair that will be managed by Business In Focus for…

Eight year old Zazie  alongside best friend Nat, who became a household name after his infamous appearance on Channel 4’s ‘The Secret Life of 5 year Olds’, has written and recorded a song about her hometown of Cardiff in a bid to raise money for Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales. The song was launched this week at Radnor Road Primary School in Cardiff. ‘Cardiff City’ is available to download  on Bandcamp with proceeds of sales going to the Bobath Wales Therapy Centre in Whitchurch, Cardiff,  which is attended by Zazie’s older brother Jordi who has cerebral palsy. Jordi, 12, was…