Author: Rhys Gregory

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales has hit 100 – confirming the Welsh Government’s commitment to the employee ownership model and the benefits it provides for both the economy and communities across Wales. The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales now far exceeds the Programme for Government commitment to double the number in Wales and reach 74 by 2026. The Welsh Government’s Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support employee buy outs, and Cwmpas receives Welsh Government funding to promote the benefits of…

The Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Sue Tranka, has published her new five-year strategic vision setting out how nursing and midwifery professions will lead healthcare transformation. Patients across Wales will benefit from more compassionate, person-centred care delivered by an empowered nursing and midwifery workforce. The vision was developed through workshops, interviews and digital surveys involving thousands of frontline staff and service users. Launching the vision at the Chief Nursing Officer’s Conference in Cardiff, Sue Tranka said, “Shaped by the voices of nurses, midwives and patients, my vision sets out how the professions will lead, innovate and strive for excellence at…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Poultry and captive bird keepers in Wales must house their birds from Thursday 13 November as measures are introduced to combat the heightened risk of avian influenza. Wales is facing a significantly elevated threat due to a growing number of cases in both kept and wild birds across Great Britain. Avian influenza is of serious concern, not only for animal health and welfare, but also to the sustainability of food production and public health. From Thursday November 13 it will be a legal requirement for all keepers of 50 or more birds of any species to house them. Mandatory housing will also apply to flocks of less than 50 birds…

For thousands of homeowners across the UK, the past year has been a wake-up call. As mortgage rates climbed and household budgets tightened, many families suddenly found themselves reassessing their finances – and, in some cases, wondering whether they could keep their homes. Amid the uncertainty, one Welsh company has been quietly helping people find stability again. Based in South Wales, a Welsh team helping homeowners navigate mortgage debt works with clients across the UK to guide them through mortgage restructuring and debt management – areas that have become increasingly relevant in 2025’s volatile housing market. Rising Rates, Rising Pressure…

When you search online these days, something has changed. Instead of the familiar blue links and short snippets, Google now gives you entire paragraphs of AI-written summaries – often answering your question before you even click. For Welsh businesses, that shift has quietly redrawn the rules of online visibility. And for Cardiff-based agency Appear Online, adapting to it has become their defining mission. Search Has Changed – and So Have the Stakes Google’s new AI Overviews feature, which launched across the UK this year, pulls together information from multiple websites into a single AI-generated answer. For small businesses that once…

Across Wales, more homeowners are discovering a simple truth: sometimes the best move is not moving at all. As the cost of upsizing continues to climb, families from Newport to Cardiff are rethinking how they use the space they already have – and for many, that means turning part of the garden into a fully functional room. The New Welsh Dream Home Home improvement specialists say they’ve seen a surge in interest for garden rooms – versatile, insulated spaces that work as home offices, gyms, studios, or even teenage hangouts. Unlike extensions, they rarely need planning permission and can often…

Across Wales, natural materials are making a comeback. From exposed slate in farmhouse extensions to marble-style worktops in new-build kitchens, homeowners are rediscovering the beauty – and longevity – of stone. Amid this quiet design revival, one Welsh company is bringing craftsmanship back to the centre of home interiors. Based in South Wales, Stonerite has built its reputation on creating bespoke stone worktops that combine modern precision with the durability of traditional materials. The Return of Texture and Timelessness In an age of flat-pack furniture and short-term décor trends, natural stone represents permanence. Recent data from Houzz UK shows that…

Your bedroom should be more than a place to rest—it should be a space that nurtures your well-being. A calming retreat that helps you unwind from the day, recharge your energy, and wake up feeling renewed. With a few mindful updates, you can turn your room into a peaceful, personal and effortlessly luxurious sanctuary. Luxurious Textures Layering with plush textures is key. Remember, you’re likely to be wearing comfortable clothing in this room, so choose textures that complement cosy women’s loungewear, such as faux fur throws and velvet cushions. Adding different textures through soft furnishings, curtains, or wall decor adds…

Wales isn’t just about sheep and rugby anymore. Don’t get me wrong – those are still pretty important – but tech has completely flipped how people live here, from Cardiff’s buzzing streets to gorgeous coastal spots like Tenby. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total tech nerd or someone who panics when your phone updates – these changes hit everyone. Here are five big ways technology’s messing with Welsh life (in a good way, mostly). Healthcare That Actually Comes to You Remember taking half a day off just to see your GP? Yeah, those days are pretty much done in…

A Llandudno weightlifting club once on the brink of closure has roared back to life – and produced a new British champion. Diamond Weightlifting on James Street was just weeks away from shutting down earlier this year with membership halved and the future looking bleak. But since local couple Claire and Phil Higgins took charge, the club has doubled in size and its young athletes are hitting new heights. Thirteen-year-old Charlie Ellis-Perry, from Colwyn Bay, struck gold at the British Junior Championship in Birmingham. Meanwhile, teammate Izzy Deakin,  14, claimed bronze and two others, Iwan Pemberton, 16, smashed a personal best…