Author: Rhys Gregory

Powys County Council’s search for a site to accommodate a new gypsy and traveller site in the Welshpool area will be discussed at a drop-in session in Forden next week. The council is looking for a 1.2-hectare site to accommodate 12 mobile homes and has identified six potential sites on council owned land in Leighton, Forden and Churchstoke. A drop-in session will be held in Forden Community Centre on Monday 6 October from 4-8pm. Need for the new site, which must accommodate 12 mobile homes and have potential for future expansion, has been identified as part of work on the…

Wales is becoming a must-visit destination for cruises, with new figures revealing a surge in ship visits over recent years. The country welcomed 84 cruise ships in 2025, representing a more than 100% increase when compared with the 41 ships that visited Welsh ports in 2021. This sustained growth demonstrates Wales’ increasing recognition as a must-visit destination for cruise passengers seeking authentic experiences and stunning landscapes. Wales offers cruise operators and passengers access to five strategically located ports across the country: Cardiff, Swansea, Milford Haven, Fishguard, and Holyhead, with each providing unparalleled access to the country’s diverse attractions. The growing…

Following the confirmation of Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) at a premises in Monmouthshire, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Wales has announced a Bluetongue Temporary Control Zone (TCZ). On Friday [26 September] the CVO confirmed that a single cow tested positive for BTV-3 following a report to the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) of clinical signs indicative of Bluetongue by the farm’s veterinary surgeon. Further epidemiological investigations by APHA and the Pirbright Institute have identified that BTV-3 is actively circulating on the farm. A TCZ will be declared to help prevent the spread of disease by livestock movements, and support…

As autumn settles across the Welsh countryside, The Celtic Manor Resort is bringing the season to life with a limited-time dining experience that’s unlike anything else. Lauched this week and available until Saturday 11th October 2025, Rafters Restaurant has been transformed for WILD at Rafters, an immersive forest-inspired menu rooted in nature. Perched high above the Twenty Ten golf course, Rafters is already one of the resort’s most striking settings, with vaulted beams and sweeping views across the parkland. For this event, it takes on an even more atmospheric feel, with natural textures, seasonal displays and a warm woodland theme…

Online casinos have become a popular form of entertainment across the UK, and Pembrokeshire is no exception. With its stunning coastline, charming towns, and slower pace of life, the region might seem far removed from digital gaming. Yet, more locals are increasingly engaging with online platforms as a way to unwind, socialise, and access games once limited to land-based venues. Several factors are contributing to this trend, combining technology, convenience, and lifestyle preferences to make online casinos an appealing choice. Convenience in Everyday Life One of the most significant attractions of online casinos for Pembrokeshire residents is the convenience they…

Strong communication is the lifeblood of business success. Whether it’s internal dialogue between employees or external interactions with clients, partners, and stakeholders, how companies communicate can directly influence growth. Businesses that prioritize clear, consistent, and adaptable communication methods position themselves to improve collaboration, strengthen relationships, and seize opportunities faster than competitors. The Importance of Choosing the Right Tools Technology has transformed how businesses communicate. Email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management platforms are now crucial in most workplaces. Selecting the right mix of tools is crucial to ensure that communication flows smoothly across all departments.  Businesses that rely on…

Embedded finance has shifted from being a buzzword to a concrete strategy that redefines how businesses interact with their customers. It refers to the integration of financial services within non-financial platforms, allowing companies in sectors such as retail, logistics, or software to offer payments, lending, or insurance directly in their ecosystems. The result is a seamless user experience where financial interactions happen naturally inside platforms people already trust. Among the enablers of this movement, white-label payment gateways hold a particularly important role. By providing ready-made infrastructure that can be branded and customised, they make it possible for platforms to launch…

The Cardiff Business Awards have revealed the shortlist for 2025, celebrating the very best of the capital city’s businesses and entrepreneurs. Now in their 11th year, the awards recognise excellence across 18 categories, with 74 companies and individuals making the shortlist. Winners, including the highly sought-after Cardiff Business of the Year, will be announced at a black-tie gala on Friday 14 November at Holland House, Cardiff. The judging panel is chaired by Jessica Leigh-Jones MBE, engineer, entrepreneur and founder of iungo Solutions, who will be joined by sponsors and business leaders from across Cardiff. Liz Brookes of Grapevine Event Management…

Wales has seen house prices rise by 3% over the past year, according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index. The average price of a home in Wales now stands at £213,359, up from 2.6% growth in the previous quarter. The data, covering July to September 2025, shows that Wales is outperforming England, where annual house price growth slowed to 1.6%. Scotland recorded a 2.9% rise, while Northern Ireland remained the strongest performer across the UK with growth of 9.6%. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said the market has remained resilient despite wider economic pressures. “The broad stability in the…

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid partnered with Effective Communication, the PR and public affairs specialists, to host a special event exploring what the next Senedd election could mean for businesses in Wales. The session, held at The Ivy in Cardiff, was led by Jonathan Morgan, the former Welsh Conservative Assembly Member who represented South Wales Central from 1999 to 2007 and Cardiff North from 2007 to 2011. Morgan, who also served as a special adviser to the Conservatives, shared his insight into why the 2026 election could mark the biggest shift in Welsh politics for a generation.…