Author: Rhys Gregory

A former nightclub in Llandrindod Wells is enjoying a new lease of life as a food bank and advice centre, thanks to funding secured by Powys County Council. The council awarded £146,000 towards the cost of the second phase of the building work to refurbish the Oasis site behind the Commodore Hotel, on Spa Road, which has previously been known as The Venue and V Nightclub and Bar. The funding was provided in the form of a Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, through its Transforming Towns Programme, and has been used to help create: Office space for use by the food…

A ROUTINE eye test at Specsavers Colwyn Bay has led to life-saving treatment for a local 10-year-old, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour. When Rhea Hamlet-Jolley visited the Bay View Shopping Centre store on 4 August with her dad, Anthony, optometrist Rhian Porter identified abnormalities in her optic discs. She immediately referred Rhea for an emergency appointment at Glan Clwyd Hospital, from where she was transferred to the ophthalmology department at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool the following day. Just days later, on 8 August, Rhea underwent her first brain surgery after specialists discovered a tumour. Following a…

The three directors of Pontardawe-based Westward Energy Services have completed a management buy-out enabling the former owners to retire after 25 years in a deal that has been part-funded by a £775,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Jonathan Garland, Stuart Thomas and Dai Atkins have acquired the heating and electrical services business that was first established 40 years ago. It has been operated by Andrew and Joanne Robinson alongside co-founders Anthony and Andrea Slattery since 2001. SME Finance Partners have been supporting the management buy-out and Capital Law advised on legal matters. Providing domestic, commercial and industrial heating…

As thousands of people visit the seafront to enjoy the holiday season, construction teams installing a new sea defence system have ensured access to panoramic sea views. Final work, including widening the prom to a consistent 6m, laying a hard-wearing top surface, creating landscaped beds and play areas and installing smart new energy-efficient lights, is due to be carried out by around Easter time. Project work is around 70% complete. The prom areas open this Christmas, with new wave-return wall and elegant stainless steel safety rails, will include the spans from the George pub-restaurant to Southend Slip and from Oyster…

Having a newborn baby in the house always makes Christmas all the more magical – but for one Swansea couple it so nearly didn’t happen. Aimee Arran and partner Seb Mallows have enjoyed countless cuddles with son Archie since he was born almost two months ago. Yet their happy story could have had a very different outcome were it not for the “exceptional” care provided at the city’s Singleton Hospital. Aimee had to undergo an emergency procedure to try to prevent a late miscarriage, with only a 50 per cent chance of success. But fortunately it worked, and Archie arrived…

Axiom Manufacturing Services has been honoured as one of the UK’s top manufacturers at the prestigious Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards. Competing against leading electronics manufacturers across Europe, including global multinationals, Axiom earned a Highly Commended distinction from Elektra’s panel of judges. This recognition celebrates the company’s significant investments, robust sales growth, and partner acquisitions. Organised by Electronics Weekly magazine, the Elektra Awards highlight achievements in the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of electronics products within the EU and beyond. Commenting on the success, Managing Director Chris Nye, said: “Elektra’s recognition, and the achievements over the past year that led…

Business confidence in Wales fell six points during December to 26%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. While Welsh companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up three points at 37%, their optimism in the economy fell 15 points to 15%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 26% (vs. 32% in November). A net balance of 32% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 11 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas…

After two sell out seasons in Geordieland, the North East Adult Pantomime is back – bigger and better than ever in January 2025 – and this time there’s no escape – we’re going on tour and we are coming to a venue near you! It’s time to tell your friends and grab your tickets for Snow White … and the Seven Drag Queens. Join Gogglebox favourite and Queen of the Jungle Scarlett Moffatt who headlines the cast alongside Celebrity Big Brother Winner David Potts, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race icons, Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas. Starring alongside them are Drag…

The recent discovery that one of Stonehenge’s stones originated in Scotland supports a theory that the stone circle was built as a monument to unite Britain’s early farmers nearly 5,000 years ago, according to a new study by researchers at UCL and Aberystwyth University.   In a research article published in the journal Archaeology International, academics analyse the significance of the recent discovery of the Scottish origin of the six-tonne Altar Stone, which confirmed that all of the stones that make up Stonehenge were brought to Salisbury Plain from many miles away.    In their new paper, the researchers say that…

Skateboarders, wheel sports enthusiasts and members of the public can now give online feedback on initial designs for another three improved neighbourhood skate parks in Swansea. These images show the improved facilities being proposed for the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and Coed Bach in Pontarddulais. They’re among the neighbourhood skate park sites that will benefit from a Swansea Council investment worth close to £3m in skateboarding and wheel sports facilities across the city. The council is working closely with local communities and a specialist company called Curve Studio who have made the online consultation available. This…