Author: Rhys Gregory

The number of new businesses set up in Wales rose by 25.3% in July 2025 compared to the same month last year, while insolvency-related activity in the region fell by 19.7% over the same period, according to new research from R3, the UK’s restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade body. R3’s analysis of data provided by Creditsafe shows that 2,035 new businesses were set up in Wales in July – a 25.3 % increase from July 2024’s total of 1,624. Over the same period, the number of insolvency-related activities – which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings – fell…

Bridgend-based housing association Valleys to Coast has confirmed plans to transform the disused Revlon factory site in Maesteg into its largest housing development to date, delivering nearly 200 new homes and breathing new life into a part of the town that has stood empty for more than a decade. Valleys to Coast is delivering the £41.8m scheme with housebuilders Avant Homes, in a deal supported by law firm Hugh James. The former factory site was made ready for development by Bridgend County Borough Council and Cardiff Capital Region, which funded £3.5m of site remediation works. Located off Ewenny Road and…

A South Wales terraced house which has seen much better days could make a wonderful family home once renovated. The two bed mid terraced property in the eastern valleys town of Pontypool has all the makings of a comfortable abode but it just needs some TLC as it has become a bit overgrown. Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions said: “The house looks in a pretty sorry state at the moment as it has been empty for some time but in the right hands it’ll make a wonderful family home. “Listed with a guide price of just £29,000, the two-bedroom…

Santa’s Toy Mine is making a magical return to Rhondda Heritage Park Museum this festive season. The much-loved Christmas attraction invites families to step into a winter wonderland and experience the magic of the underground grotto. Visitors will journey through the festive mine, meeting Santa and his helpers along the way, before receiving a special gift. Santa’s Toy Mine has become a seasonal favourite in the South Wales valleys, attracting families from near and far for an unforgettable Christmas experience. The event promises plenty of festive fun for children and adults alike, with sparkling decorations, cheerful elves, and a chance…

Three Merthyr Tydfil teenagers who broke into a supermarket in the early hours of the morning armed with a machete, and helped themselves to cake, Lucozade and a bucket of ‘empty’ vapes have been sentenced. Cody Bond, 18, was with two other accomplices, who cannot be named due to their age, when he smashed his way through a glass door and entered the Tesco supermarket in Merthyr Tydfil town centre on May 28, 2025. An alarm was activated and supermarket staff alerted police – shortly after, officers armed with taser spotted them hiding behind bins in a nearby alleyway. One…

Transport for Wales (TfW) has become the first train operator in the UK to introduce new, cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) training technology for front-line staff. The innovative VR software allows trainees to experience key, real-world scenarios from the comfort of a classroom before moving on to practical training. The VR training features a computerised replica of a brand-new Class 197 train, which now operates on the majority of mainline routes across Wales and the Borders. Developed by Denova, a Scottish based company, the training environment gives trainees full control, allowing them to change between keys, check route diagrams, and even…

In just over a week’s time, some of the world’s top cyclists will be in Newport for the final stage of this year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Men. This will be the first time the Tour has visited Newport since 2018, when the city hosted the finish to the opening stage, won by André Greipel. The Tour will be the final race for Geraint Thomas, before he retires from the sport following a long and distinguished career. Route information The final stage, on Sunday 7 September, will start at 11.45am the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, before heading into…

Sport Caerphilly is encouraging community sports clubs and organisations across Caerphilly County Borough to apply for support through the Be Active Wales Fund, delivered by Sport Wales with National Lottery backing. The fund is now open for applications and provides a vital opportunity to strengthen grassroots sport and ensure more people can get involved in physical activity. This investment also supports the ambitions of the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-29 which sets out a long-term vision for inclusive, accessible and sustainable sport across the borough. The Be Active Wales Fund offers grants ranging from £300 to £50,000 to not-for-profit…

Blaenau Gwent Council is delighted to announce that a steel statue of record-breaking athlete Steve Jones MBE, OLY, and Freeman of Blaenau Gwent will be officially unveiled by Steve himself in his hometown of Ebbw Vale this September. The Council is excited and honoured to have worked with its partners and the running community in Blaenau Gwent to celebrate Steve’s incredible athletic career, highlighting his achievements in a way that will inspire children and young people to always strive for the best they can be. Visiting from his home in America, Steve has expressed his joy at returning to the…

Funding to deliver a series of road safety improvements on the A494 near Clwyd Gate has been secured. The investment announced by the Welsh Government will include installation of new warning signs, road markings and hazard marker posts at the summit of the road to warn drivers of people walking, cycling and horse riding in the area. Work to deliver these improvements will begin this financial year. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “Road safety is a priority. We’ve listened to local people and are taking action to improve road safety on the A494 at Clwyd…