Author: Rhys Gregory

Brains Brewery’s CEO Jon Bridge has announced he will be stepping down in December following four years in post, where he has successfully led the business from its perilous position during the Covid pandemic to the debt-free brewery and brands business it is today. He will be handing over to newly appointed Managing Director (MD) Nick Payne, who will take the helm of the iconic Welsh brewer in January 2025. As part of a long-term succession plan, Jon will leave his role after navigating Brains through some of its most challenging times, including the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw the…

Business confidence in Wales rose three points during October to 39%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up three points at 49%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up three points to 30%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 39% (vs. 36% in September). Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (41%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (36%) and…

Bangor University’s Brambell Natural History Museum will participate in this year’s Welsh Museums Festival, celebrating Wales’ rich history and Halloween traditions, with free, family-friendly events the length and breadth of Wales during the autumn half-term week. As part of this year’s festival, Bangor University’s Brambell Natural History Museum will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 2 November 11:00am to 3:00pm. This will be an opportunity to visit the Museum, which is not usually accessible to the public, to learn more about the specimens on display. Students will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be an…

A PRINTING business is top of the class after taking on a major new contract. PersonaliseMe Print Ltd – which relocated to larger premises on Erw Wen Road in Colwyn Bay during the summer – will now supply uniform for more than 20 schools in Conwy county. The business secured the deal following the announcement that much-loved retail outlet Boppers is to close for the final time later this month, having traded for more than 47 years. Boppers’ Joan Rossington made the decision with “a heavy heart” but is proud of her legacy and confident the schools are in safe…

Pettigrew Bakeries has been named ‘Craft Bakery of the Year’ at this year’s UK Baking Industry Awards, sponsored by Dawn Foods. The UK Baking Industry Awards, which were presented by radio personality Scott Mills, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on the 24th October – celebrating the people, products, and businesses that make the UK bakery sector so interesting and diverse. Over the last few months, judges for the awards visited bakeries across Britain as part of the deciding process for the ‘Craft Bakery of the Year’ award; they praised Pettigrew Bakeries for their deep understanding of the craft bakery market, and “the passion of…

A 52-year-old man who threatened to set a woman on fire and burn down a petrol station has been jailed. Steven Johnson, of no fixed abode but from Caernarfon, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court last week (Friday October 25th) after admitting to threats to damage property. On August 8th, Johnson was busking at a petrol station forecourt in Pentraeth, Anglesey, when he was asked to leave. Johnson then began to shout at the manager that he would ‘set this place on fire’ as he held a lighter in his hand. He lifted the nozzle of a petrol pump shouting ‘I’m…

The opening ceremony for the 2024 Welsh National Field of Remembrance has taken place at Cardiff Castle, as the nation prepares for the annual Remembrance Sunday. The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones joined a number of other dignitaries, including Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Sarah Merry and Jane Hutt MS on behalf of the Welsh Government, to pay their respects in a special Remembrance service with a Two Minute Silence. Leading up to the service all dignitaries had the opportunity to write tributes and afterwards they planted crosses at the Welsh National Field of Remembrance in the castle…

Neath Port Talbot Council has submitted a planning application for its scheme backed by UK Government funding to update Port Talbot’s town centre Civic Square and the adjacent Princess Royal Theatre. If the application is approved, work could start on the project in February 2025 with completion anticipated by early 2026. The scheme could transform the Civic Square into a multi-purpose community space with features such as new seating and significantly improved green spaces with extensive tree and shrub planting and the installation of rain gardens. The proposed Civic Centre public realm works would be carried out in seven phases,…

The waiting is over and the nominations for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been revealed! A total of 252 nominations have been received in 13 categories for individuals and teams involved in a variety of different sports across the County. The three finalists in each category will be announced on the Sport Pembrokeshire Facebook page on November 15th. The overall winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony at Folly Farm on November 29th, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire. The awards are sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio. Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:…

The major investment in Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School in Church Village is now fully-delivered, with improvements to all outdoor spaces completed – to complement the brand new main building that opened earlier this year. Pupils and staff have been enjoying their first-class new building since April 2024, after it was delivered jointly by the Council and Welsh Government in a multi-million pound investment. The single-storey building contains modern facilities throughout, and includes classrooms for nursery and reception age groups, three infant and four junior classrooms, and many supporting spaces. Since the new building opened, contractor Morgan Sindall turned its attention…