Author: Rhys Gregory

Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys have been seized after an inspection of a local business in Rhondda Cynon Taf by Trading Standards Officers. The goods which had been bought by the business from the online retailer TEMU, were voluntarily surrendered to Trading Standards. The business owner was left upset, thinking that the items they had on sale could have brought harm to their customers. The Council’s Trading Standards team are here to offer advice to keep businesses and the public safe and will always look to work with businesses to put things right before any enforcement action is taken.…

Big Dog Coffee, a beloved local coffee shop renowned for its rich aromas and community spirit, has announced a significant boost to its operations following the acquisition of grants totalling £21,617 with support from Caerphilly Borough Council’s Business, Enterprise and Renewal Team. The business has received UKSPF Grants of £18,789 and a CEF Grant of £2,828.12 which enabled the company to help purchase state-of-the-art equipment, including a Diedrich drum roaster machine, and organise specialist coffee courses to enhance their offerings. Founded over five years ago by Huw Williams, Big Dog Coffee has grown from a one-man operation to a vibrant…

Able Touch Joinery Holdings Ltd, a well-established firm specialising in joinery, carpentry, and building services has been awarded a Business Development Grant by Blaenau Gwent Council. The grant, amounting to £26,963.60, will be used to enhance the safety and productivity of the company’s workshop through the acquisition of new ventilation systems and dust extraction fans. Able Touch Joinery Ltd, based in Tredegar, has nearly three decades of experience and has earned a reputation for excellence and reliability, particularly in the niche market of purpose-made joinery for heritage buildings. The company also serves bars, restaurants, shops, and residential clients, providing high-quality…

Monmouthshire County Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of the 20mph speed limits across the county, following the Welsh Government’s directive to gather residents’ feedback and the provision of new ’30mph exception’ guidance in 2024. The council participated in the initial phase of the 20mph rollout during 2022-2023, with selected roads in Abergavenny and the Severnside area included as two of the eight national pilot projects. Participation in the pilot facilitated preparation for the national rollout in 2023. Recognising the unique usage of each local road, the council reviewed each one with local councillors before making decisions within the scope…

Wales will this week become the first UK nation to introduce national good practice guidance to help protect its dark skies. Good Practice Guidance: Planning for the Conservation and Enhancement of Dark Skies will help ensure people’s well-being, while helping both stargazers and wildlife thrive in Wales for generations to come. Endorsed by the CEO and Executive Director of DarkSky International, it is aimed to assist all involved in planning decisions – such as developers and local authorities – to focus on the right light at the right time in the right place to ensure continued spectacular star-gazing opportunities. Avoiding…

People will have the chance to have their say on regional transport spending under new plans being set out. Regional Transport Plans will focus on introducing a more strategic approach to improving transport in each region of Wales to make it more accessible, sustainable, and efficient for communities. This new approach will empower local leaders to take greater control over transport investments in the area. To support this a number of Welsh Government transport grants will be devolved from financial year 2026/27 onwards so priorities can be decided by the region. Teams in North, Mid, Southeast and Southwest Wales have…

Universities in Wales will be supported by investment of £18.5 million to help them address the challenges facing the higher education sector, and a further £500,000 to support international recruitment and promotion. The funding will be provided to universities via Medr and is to help them meet capital costs associated with estate maintenance and digital projects to reduce operating costs, while also improving environmental sustainability. It will also ensure that facilities continue to be suitable for providing a high-quality student experience and delivering world-leading research. An additional £500,000 is also being invested in the Global Wales programme, to continue supporting…

This week, the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies has said that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales. During a statement which was made in the Senedd today, the Deputy First Minister, said: “I’m pleased to share with the Senedd today that I have seen the strength of feeling on this, and I have listened. “The matter has been discussed and debated in the Senedd and, as demonstrated last week, has clear cross-party support. “Our consultation on a national model for animal welfare, which included questions…

City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, has joined the national conversation about the growing need for hospice care and the critical importance of legacy gifts in Wills. City Hospice is one of over 143 hospices across Wales, Scotland and England taking part in the ‘This is Hospice Care’ campaign this week, a national initiative facilitated by Hospice UK. The campaign, which launches today and features a powerful TV advert based on real life hospice stories, aims to raise awareness about the vital role hospices play in communities and to shift public perceptions of hospice care. The goal is to encourage people…

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has announced UK Analytics as a new corporate partner. UK Analytics is a leading provider of carbon management solutions and has elevated its membership with the Chamber to partnership status. This significant development sees the firm become part of an exclusive group that shares a special relationship with the Chamber, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering strong relationships within the business community. Through its partnership, UK Analytics aims to leverage the Chamber’s extensive network and resources to drive innovation and growth in carbon management, as well as promote sustainable business practices and…