Author: Rhys Gregory

Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent, is pleased to announce that the Group has recently topped out on a 718 apartment Build to Rent (‘BTR’) development, Tai Afon, which forms part of the wider Central Quay masterplan in Cardiff.  This commemorative event signals that the concrete framework is now complete.  This was a significant milestone for everyone involved, including Watkin Jones, Legal & General (L&G), and the subcontractors. Forward funded by L&G, one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, Tai Afon will offer a range of studio, one,…

A glass manufacturer based in rural West Wales has invested in a smart laser cutting machine in a move to boost its production capacity and order book. As part of a plan to tackle its rising raw material costs, Pembrokeshire based Derw Glass made the decision to invest in the cutting-edge technology to enhance its productivity as it enters a new phase of growth. The new machine’s faster heating process and shorter cutting cycles compared with the business’ previous model will increase production capacity by over 30%, enabling Derw Glass to hold 30% more stock and run down backlogs of…

A LUXURY holiday retreat celebrating five years on the east coast will take a walk on the wild side this summer. Darwin Escapes’ Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa in Pentney, King’s Lynn, has unveiled a series of forest trails to open-up access to a unique and biodiverse woodland habitat which visitors can enjoy. Employing 30 staff and attracting hundreds of visitors and owners from across the UK, the popular, pet-friendly park – which has up to 120 spaces for rental and ownership – has been described as one of Norfolk’s “hidden gems” by Sales Manager Ellen Vardy. Following a period…

The total value of announced equity deals in Wales increased by 23% in 2023 compared to the previous year, however the number of deals fell by 8% for the same period. The data is reported in the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker, published today, which reveals that investment declined by 48% to £8.8bn in 2023 for the UK as a whole, in line with other equity markets, while the number of deals fell by 25% to 2,152. Equity deal numbers fell across all devolved nations and regions in 2023, although activity in Wales was the most resilient…

House prices in Wales rose through the month of June according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, resulting from a rise in demand and a fall in supply. A net balance of 8% of surveyors in Wales reported that house prices had increased in the most recent survey, up from -4% in May and -8% in April. And surveyors expect this trend to continue with a net balance of 13% of respondents anticipating a rise in prices through the third quarter of the year. This appears to be the result of a rise in…

A fast-growing bakery has secured investment for a multi-million pound expansion plan that’s going to create 65 new jobs – with the promise of many more to follow. The first phase will see the Jones Village Bakery installing a new production line to make bread rolls at its headquarters site in Wrexham to cater for demand from new and existing customers. The highly automated state-of the-art line will make a range of morning goods  and will be up and running by next year. The move has been made possible by a new partnership with French bakery giant, Menissez, a family-owned…

Following a rigorous recruitment process, the Commissioners for South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority are pleased to announce the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan OBE DFC PhD as the new Chief Fire Officer. Commissioner Carl Foulkes, chair of the appointment panel, said: “Throughout this recruitment process, the Commissioners were acutely aware of the importance of finding an exceptional leader to guide the Service through the cultural and organisational changes it faces. “The Morris Review published in January called on the Service to broaden its approach to recruitment for senior level posts, which is why we extended the search outside…

Bangor University and Menai Science Park (M-SParc) unveil plans for the second building on the M-SParc site designed to solidify North Wales as a powerhouse for low carbon innovation. The plan to build a second building has taken a step forward as designs for the new building are unveiled for the first time. This project aims to leverage Bangor University’s academic strength and M-SParc’s business expertise to create a diverse and thriving economic base, supporting the region’s transition to a low-carbon future. With a focus on creating high-quality jobs and upskilling opportunities, the project, known as the Egni Project, will drive…

A TALENTED creative added a splash of colour to the leadership of a pioneering sports, advertising, exhibitions and signage business. Rowan Freeman is now a director of the award-winning Dragon Group, based in Cardiff and Radstock, near Bath. The company – which has clients across the UK and beyond – includes Dragon Signs, Dragon Digital, Route Media, Sportin Wales and Colour Studios, the exhibition and display arm of the Group that Rowan will head-up as part of her wider remit. Employing more than 80 people, the organisation is led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington and has poured significant investment into…

Visitors to Newport can now enjoy their own private mini-cinema experience, thanks to a new luxury pod business which has opened in Newport city centre. Cosy Cinema was started by former Newport RFC player John Colderley and his wife Sian when they opened a cinema pod at their home in Dinas Powys in 2020. They went on to open to a multi-pod site at a caravan park in Pontcanna, Cardiff in 2022. The new venue in Newport is their third location. Their venues offer customers access to glamping-style luxury pods fitted with large screens, allowing them to watch streams or…