Author: Rhys Gregory

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cardiff team has been appointed by the NHS to deliver an extension to The Grange University Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) in Cwmbran, near Newport. Procured via the SCAPE National Construction Framework, the team has since started on site with the phased work set to complete in April 2025. Additional amenities to the pre-existing facilities include a three-storey building with a ground floor ED triage area. The remaining floors will continue as open plan in order to the meet required needs of the hospital. Further to the extension, the tier one contractor will deliver refurbishment works in the current…

After six successful years, Swansea’s much-loved bike hire scheme is getting a new name and a major upgrade to improve its service for users across the city. Swansea University Cycles will launch on Monday, August 12. Working together with nextbike UK, with invaluable assistance from Swansea Council, the University is supporting the relaunch of the hugely popular bike hire scheme, which has facilitated more than 150,000 active and sustainable journeys since its launch back in 2018. The updated fleet of bikes, which have been a hit with students, the community and tourists alike, will be an upgrade on the previous…

A former maths and science teacher is combining his love for teaching with his lifelong passion for football, thanks to funding from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. Leon Stapleton, 43, has launched the first Welsh franchise of We Make Footballers, a football training academy for children aged 4-12, in Cardiff. Leon spent over 10 years teaching both maths and science, but pre-pandemic he became disillusioned with life in the classroom, despite really enjoying working with children, and decided to leave teaching for a job with a courier service, while he researched new career options. Alongside being a…

The South Wales Business Awards is thrilled to announce that applications for the 2024 South Wales Business Awards are now officially open. Celebrating its sixteenth year, the prestigious event continues to honour the very best in Welsh business since its inception in 2008. The awards ceremony is set to take place on Friday, 27th September at the iconic Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. Renowned Welsh television and radio presenter Sara Edwards will once again host the event, bringing her charm and experience to the 2024 awards. This year, the South Wales Business Awards introduces two new categories, reflecting the dynamic growth…

Six members of organised crime groups have received sentences totalling 50 years at Cardiff Crown Court for a series of drugs offences. Four men and two women were brought before the Court following complex investigations which evolved from Operation Venetic – a national investigation following the lawful compromise of Encrochat, an encrypted messaging network used predominantly by organised criminal gangs. Operation Soros focused on a Cardiff based organised crime group (OCG) which was led by Luke Mattan, 35, from Llanishen in Cardiff, who used Encrochat to co-ordinate his drug supply activities. Another member of the group was Saswal Abdullah, 27,…

Denbighshire’s tourism figures have seen a rise for 2023 in comparison to the previous year. The latest STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures show that the total visitor numbers for Denbighshire in 2023 reached 6.39 million, an increase of almost 6% (5.9%) in comparison to 2022 figures. The data also shows that the number of day visitors to the county for 2023 was 4.72 million, a 7.5% change when compared to 2022. The total economic impact of tourism was £736.05 million, a jump of 17.1% on the previous year. STEAM is a tourism economic impact modelling process which approaches…

More than 20,900 primary age school pupils city-wide are now able to benefit from free school meals through Welsh Government’s Universal Free School Meals programme, ensuring children eat well during the school day whilst providing financial benefit to families.  Extensive work carried out by Cardiff’s Education Catering teamshas seen school kitchens across the city updated and capacity increased, so that provision can be efficiently delivered to primary aged children inCardiff’s primary and special schools. All primary pupils from Reception to Year 6 are able to access free school meals. To ensure primary aged children do not miss out on their…

Essential work on underground power lines is currently underway as the council prepares for the transformation of Castle Square into a greener, more welcoming space in the city centre. Contractors working on behalf of National Grid have now arrived on site in Castle Square. Despite the ongoing construction, all businesses in the area are trading as usual. This phase of the project involves moving and re-laying high-voltage cables to accommodate the new design for Castle Square Gardens, which has been developed with extensive public engagement. National Grid’s work necessitates temporary pedestrian re-routing, but the square and surrounding shops remain accessible.…

Work has been carried out across Pembrokeshire to manage trees affected by ash dieback. Ash dieback is one of the worst tree disease epidemics the UK has ever seen and there is no treatment option. Trees affected by the disease become brittle over time with branches breaking away. If they are not dealt with, trees are weakened and may become susceptible to secondary pathogens which may result in total failure, presenting an immediate danger to the surrounding area. Cllr Rhys Sinnett, the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “Like many areas of Wales and the UK, ash dieback is prevalent…

Proposals to develop a Business Improvement District (BID) for Tonypandy will progress to the next stage following Cabinet’s approval. If agreed, a BID would establish a funding model to support investment and development in the town, led by the input of local businesses. A BID is an area within which traders, linked to their business rates, pay into a levy that acts as a shared fund to be used for projects in the local town centre – while also drawing on other funding avenues to support this activity. There are 14 BIDs in Wales, three of which are successfully operating…