Author: Rhys Gregory

New small business in Bridgend County Borough can now apply for support from the Business Start-up Fund, which offers grants of between £250 and £4,000 to assist with many essential costs of running a business. Bridgend County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise deliver the scheme in partnership to provide financial assistance to new or existing micro-businesses that are either already located or are planning to locate in Bridgend County Borough. The initiative provides grant funding to cover costs such as capital equipment, website development, building works to business premises and computer equipment. In order to be eligible, businesses have…

ssential work on the A473 Church Village Bypass requires a single overnight road closure followed by night-time lane closures throughout next week – scheduled at night to minimise disruption. The scheme will start with the overnight road closure, running from 8pm on Monday, June 24, to 6am on Tuesday, June 25. The A473 will close between Beddau and Cross Inn Roundabouts – please see a map of the closure and diversion route here. An alternative route for motorists is available via the A473, A4119, M4, M4 junction 32, A470, Upper Boat Roundabout, Tonteg Road and the Church Village Bypass –…

Work has begun to bring fast and reliable broadband to some of the most remote parts of Powys after the county council awarded a contract to BT Group. Openreach is managing the full-fibre internet build for BT, which will connect 24 ‘hard to reach sites’ but will also benefit at least 78 more that are on route to them and possibly as many as 119. Surveying and planning are due to start at most sites soon and all should be completed by the end of March 2025. The areas of Powys benefitting from the full-fibre internet build are: Forest Coal…

Global Offshore Wind conference left in no doubt as to Wales’ expertise and ambition. Speaking at the Global Offshore Wind conference in Manchester today, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language shared his ambitious vision for Wales in the offshore wind revolution. With the right mix of expertise and geography, Wales has long been a home to internationally pioneering offshore wind projects. As part of a keynote speech to an international industry audience, Cabinet Secretary, Jeremy Miles, vowed to build on this, putting a strong focus on strategic investment, robust supply chains, and developing skills to ensure…

CARDIFF’s local hospice City Hospice announced a key appointment as it celebrated its 40th anniversary with the appointment of Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff as its Vice President. Baroness Finlay is a fellow at Velindre Cancer Centre and honorary professor of palliative medicine at Cardiff University, with extensive experience in palliative care and bereavement support. In 2001, she became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords, with her policy interests covering health services, medicine, medical ethics, science and technology and issues affecting Wales. As Vice President of City Hospice, Baroness Finlay will act as an ambassador for the…

South Wales’ top 200 privately-owned businesses have gone from strength to strength despite recent economic challenges, increasing overall turnover by 19% on prior year to reach £11 billion, according to new data from Grant Thornton UK LLP. The leading business and financial adviser’s inaugural South Wales Limited report analysed private companies in the region and highlighted its top 200 companies* as measured by both annual turnover and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation). Alongside the notable revenue growth, Grant Thornton’s analysis found that overall profits also increased. The combined EBITDA of the 200 most profitable privately-owned businesses in…

Tata Steel’s business support subsidiary UKSE has strengthened its investment team in Wales in response to recent announcements about the future of the industry. Michelle Noble has joined, bringing extensive experience working with Welsh businesses in her previous roles with Development Bank of Wales, Pen Y Cymoedd Community Fund and community organisations. As Regional Executive with UKSE, she will be working with Area Manager Rob Barber and colleague Howard Thompson. UKSE has a portfolio of investment products available to eligible Welsh companies, particularly those with potential to create lasting, sustainable jobs. Over the last 50 years, UKSE has supported some…

THE cost-of-living crisis, fewer marriages and a more settled period following the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to a decrease in divorces in the UK. But long-term, latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures revealing there were 80,057 divorces – down from 113,505 in 2021 – may not point towards family bliss, according to family law solicitors. The ONS says the numbers may have been affected by the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act, which came into effect in April 2022 and introduced new mandatory waiting periods at important stages, and other changes including allowing couples to end a…

Supermarket chain Aldi has joined other Welsh retailers, including Waitrose, M&S, Tesco, Lidl and Asda by stocking award-winning and locally made Castle Dairies Welsh Spreadable Butter (500g) in 32 of their stores across Wales. Castle Dairies is a family run business and has been churning cream for over 50 years. Castle Dairies is thrilled to announce the return of its Welsh Spreadable Butter to Aldi stores across Wales after receiving overwhelming customer demand. “We are excited to bring back our beloved Welsh Spreadable butter to Aldi shoppers in Wales,” said Nicola Pretty, Head of Brand and Development at Castle Dairies.…

Sustaining your home has come with financial advantages, and this is because of the following reasons for keeping your home energy efficient. As simple as cutting down the electricity bills or as complex as raising the value of the house, these changes bring about periodic and terminal profits.  Lower Utility Bills Among the numerous and potentially tangible advantages of energy efficiency, the first one is the decrease in utility costs. The use of energy-efficient appliances, for example, fridges, air conditioners, and water heaters, also drastically reduces monthly energy consumption. You can save on your energy bills by applying for eco4…