Author: Rhys Gregory

A new community pharmacy has opened in Towyn as pharmacist Naeem Anjam looks to develop a network of pharmacies throughout North Wales. The fit-out of Towyn Pharmacy has been part-funded by a six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales. With a dispensing contract from NHS Wales, it offers all NHS and some private services, independent prescribing for common acute conditions, opportunities for independent contractors to rent any one of its three consultation rooms, and a competitive retail selection. Naeem Anjam also runs Moelwyn Pharmacy in Blaenau Ffestiniog. He said: “I fell in love with North Wales when doing locum…

Bodega, Cardiff’s celebrated destination for fire-cooked Mediterranean small plates and an unparalleled wine-by-the-glass collection, has welcomed Rhodri Davies as its new Head Chef. Rhodri Davies, a Cardiff native and former contestant on MasterChef: The Professionals 2021, joins Bodega with an impressive culinary background and a passion for delivering elevated dining experiences. Known for his refined approach to seasonal cuisine, Rhodri honed his skills at two Michelin-recommended establishments; The Heathcock in Llandaff, where he mastered the art of technically accomplished, modern British fare; and Heaneys in Pontcanna working under Great British Menu chef Tommy Heaney. Since stepping into his role at…

Creative studio, Bleak Fabulous, in collaboration with This is Wales is set to unveil a stunning new curation that will showcase the stories of communities and creatives across Wales—each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our nation. Bleak Fabulous previously garnered significant attention with their project It’s Called Ffasiwn, featured in Vogue, where the duo juxtaposed ‘bleak’ landscapes with ‘fabulous’ fashion, offering an original and compelling representation of the contemporary Valleys. Bleak Fabulous was founded by Clémentine Schneidermann, a French photographer and educator based in both Wales and France, and Charlotte James, a Creative Director, filmmaker, and educator from Merthyr…

Tŷ Hotel Newport, which opened in 2024, is using part of its £9.7m funding from Cardiff Capital Region’s Strategic Premises Fund to finance on site practical training for hospitality students as it prepares the next generation for careers in the sector. The Celtic Collection, which manages the hotel, collaborated with the University of South Wales to create a paid nine-month placement programme which provides hands on experience for students as they complete the practical training components of their hospitality and business management courses. The two successful applicants, Deepu Chandran and Dilakshan Classen, began their placement at Coldra Court Hotel before…

Celebrate St David’s Day this year by hearing first-hand about a great Welsh success story. For many years, the ACCA Cymru/Wales Saint David’s Day Breakfast has been a highlight of the business networking calendar in south Wales. The event brings together representatives from across the entire business community to network and to celebrate Dydd Gŵyl Dewi. And this year ACCA keeps to that tradition as it hears from a very special guest speaker who is not afraid to analyse and address the challenges sport, women in sport and Welsh society face. Guests will be able to hear from Rhian Wilkinson, Head…

Christina Wall, 32, from Adamsdown, Cardiff, has been jailed following a city centre robbery in May last year. Accompanied by two men, Wall approached the victim, a 23-year-old man from Roath, before punching him inside a multi-storey car park, then strangling him and attempting to gouge his eyes. Wall also told him they were in possession of a knife, threatening to kill him unless he emptied his pockets. Wall then took his mobile phone and wallet. Wall pleaded guilty to robbery and has been sentenced to eight years and three months in prison. Detective Constable Carys Davies said: “This was…

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, was joined by Jayne Bryant MS, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government to see key council housing developments. They visited several housing sites in Barry – one of the areas with the greatest demand for accommodation – including three schemes at Coldbrook Road East, Clos Holm View and on the former Colcot Clinic site, as well as the newly completed homes at Hayeswood Road. The Hayeswood Road development consists of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties built on land acquired by the Vale of Glamorgan Council…

Plans for a new-build replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School are continuing to progress with a full planning application now having been submitted for consideration. Under the plans, the new-build school would be built on land currently occupied by Mynydd Cynffig Primary School’s junior department and would operate on a single site basis, bringing together all year groups in the same location. The school has also been designed with sustainable features and will be Net Zero Carbon in operation. In addition to the classrooms, the two-storey school features an indoor learning plaza, a main hall, ancillary studio hall, outdoor play areas,…

Newport City Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration have welcomed ambitious proposals by docks’ operator ABP. Last year, the company unveiled its masterplan which set out how it would build on its classic port role while blending in innovations to become a highly efficient, zero-carbon port with a “clean growth hub” by 2040. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni and Councillor James Clarke met with ABP representatives during a recent visit to the port. Councillor Batrouni said: “Newport Docks have been pivotal to the development of the city over the last two centuries and we were impressed with the company’s plans to…

Redevelopment work is set to begin on two Caerphilly town squares while conserving and enhancing much-loved public art installations. Stockland Square and Windsor Square, on Cardiff Road, were built in the late 1990s featuring now familiar sculptures of jackdaws and geese, connecting residential streets to one of the town’s main shopping streets. Preparation work is set to begin later this month to rejuvenate the squares to create an open social space while introducing more greenery, seating, and improve bin facilities for local businesses. The project will be delivered as part of the Caerphilly Town 2035 Placemaking Plan, utilising up to…