Author: Rhys Gregory

Tourism and hospitality have been praised as the “lifeblood of the Welsh economy” that create jobs and drive growth. Attending the Welsh Government’s National Tourism Summit at Venue Cymru in Llandudno yesterday (Thursday, 27 March), the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said she valued the sector’s insight and wanted to learn from the attendees’ years of experience on the front line. The event, which welcomed guests from Wales, across the UK and Europe, offered the opportunity to explore opportunities for an industry that pumps £3.8bn into the Welsh economy each year. Wales has a huge amount…

As we navigate the evolving landscape of the workplace in 2025, Welsh employees are increasingly discerning about what they seek in their employers. Gone are the days of simply accepting a paycheck; today’s workforce values a holistic approach that prioritises well-being, sustainability, and flexibility. Here are the top five things Welsh employees are looking for in their employers: Flexible and Remote Work Options: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote and flexible work, and this trend is here to stay, particularly in a region like Wales, where diverse geographical landscapes make commuting a significant factor for many. Welsh employees,…

Appear Online, a search marketing agency based in Cardiff, has completed its relocation to new headquarters at Brunel House, a building located in Cardiff’s city centre, a move that underscores the agency’s rapid growth and its commitment to contributing to the city’s burgeoning digital economy. This strategic shift is more than a change of address; it reflects the agency’s expansion and its pivotal role in the region’s evolving business landscape. Brunel House, a landmark building in Cardiff’s city centre, has recently undergone significant redevelopment to accommodate the growing demand for modern office spaces within the digital and creative sectors. The…

In the dynamic landscape of 2025, Welsh B2B businesses must adopt innovative and strategic approaches to drive sales growth. As the market evolves, leveraging digital tools, fostering local connections, and prioritising customer relationships will be crucial. Here are five key strategies to help Welsh B2B companies increase sales: Embrace Digital Transformation and Automation: The digital age continues to reshape business operations, and Welsh B2B businesses must embrace digital transformation to remain competitive. This goes beyond simply having a website; it involves integrating digital tools into every facet of the sales process. Implementing robust CRM systems, marketing automation tools, and advanced…

Two major cultural events are set to attract unprecedented national coverage and bring in millions of pounds to North Wales this year, business leaders have heard. News about the double economic boost provided by the 2025 National Eisteddfod that’s coming to Wrexham and the annual North Wales International Music Festival was revealed at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals. A variety of national radio stations, some for the first time, will be providing coverage of the International Music Festival that’s being held at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11-20. High points will be a broadcast by TV and radio host…

Three new luxury lodges are now available to book at The Crown at Pantygelli, Abergavenny following a £90,000 growth capital loan by the Development Bank of Wales. Located in the heart of Monmouthshire and open all day every day, The Crown is owned by Amy Norvill and Nicholas Clayton-Ford who acquired the thriving pub and restaurant that is popular with tourists and the local community in June 2022. The couple previously worked in hospitality on the tourist resort of Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia. The loan from the Development Bank has been used to part-fund the installation of three high-specification…

A POPULAR college sports initiative is inspiring the next generation of athletes in North Wales. The Junior Athletics Programme at Coleg Cambria Deeside has been supporting and coaching youngsters for more than 13 years. Donna Welsh, coordinator of Active Cambria, says the scheme has gone from strength to strength and 2025 could be their busiest year yet. The programme has been a “cornerstone” for children aged five to 10 years old during that period, providing fun, engaging sessions focused on running, jumping, and throwing. “These activities not only promote physical fitness but also nurture social and emotional development, laying strong…

A teenage singer-songwriter who has one of the rarest conditions in the world has joined forces with the police to launch an access card for disabled people. Inspirational Gracie Mellalieu, 18, is championing the innovative scheme that’s being unveiled in North Wales at the end of the month by social enterprise PIWS (Welsh for purple) that was set up to campaign to improve access for children and young people with disabilities at different venues. North Wales Police is the first force in the UK to adopt the card, although others in England and Wales are now also interested in signing…

Rescue donkeys grazing at a sanctuary near Bangor are providing an ideal habitat for one of Wales’s rarest mushrooms, the Crimson Waxcap. Snowdonia Donkeys was set up in 2013 by retired teacher Ruth Stronge and her husband, Chris, and their growing herd of donkeys now roam a 13-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near the village of Tregarth. They are getting a helping hand from Wales’s biggest self-storage company, Lock Stock, who have three sites in nearby Bangor and are donating and delivering a 40-foot storage unit to the site later this month to act as a store and…

Mum of two Victoria Thomas was strangled to death by her partner Alcwyn Thomas after he spent the day drinking heavily and taking cocaine. Victoria, 45, was found in a top-floor spare bedroom of a house they shared on Caerphilly Road in Birchgrove in Cardiff. Thomas, 44, admitted manslaughter but maintained that Victoria’s death was a ‘sex act gone wrong’ and that it was during ‘erotic asphyxiation’ that she died. He denied murder but was today (Wednesday, March 26) found guilty of the charge following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. CCTV from the afternoon of Monday, August 19, 2024,…