Author: Rhys Gregory

A Pembrokeshire family-run business that now helps customers worldwide has been awarded the UK’s most prestigious business honour, The King’s Award for Enterprise. FRIO UK is the manufacturer of the world’s first patented medication and insulin-cooling wallet. Using specially developed crystals that activate when wet, the wallets keep medication cool whatever the weather by the process of evaporation. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, presented the award at the company’s premises in Little Treffgarne on Tuesday, November 12th at an event attended by FRIO staff, invited guests and business colleagues. Mr Chris Wolsey, Managing Director of FRIO UK…

A Closure Notice has been issued and enforced at Aberdare Off Licence, which aims to send a clear message to premises in Rhondda Cynon Taf that the illegal sale of tobacco or illegal vapes will not be tolerated in this County Borough! On Friday, 8th November a Closure Notice was served to the proprietors of Aberdare Off Licence, located at 33 Victoria Square, Aberdare. This action was taken due to the illegal supply of vapes and tobacco products, including sales to underage individuals. The Closure Notice was issued under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014.…

Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel & Spa is excited to announce the development of a new lodge facility, which marks a significant enhancement to its accommodation offerings, made possible through a match-funded grant of £23,411.10 from the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This funding, facilitated through the intervention of Caerphilly County Borough Council, has played a pivotal role in the renovation of the lodge into a luxurious 10-bed self-contained accommodation ideal for hen parties, birthdays, team-building weekends, and more. Nestled within over 100 acres of stunning meadowland in the breathtaking valleys of Caerphilly, Bryn Meadows has been…

Owners of empty properties and second homes across the Caerphilly county borough are being advised of additional Council Tax charges that will come into effect on April 1st 2025. Caerphilly county borough council has agreed to introduce Council Tax Premiums on Second Homes and Long-Term Empty Properties in an effort to bring long-term empty and underused homes back into use and increase the supply of affordable housing. Letters are being circulated to domestic property owners advising them of the new premiums, which will be as follows: Second Homes  100% Premium Long-term Empty Properties: – Empty longer than 2 years 100%…

The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, hosted a reception for UK-based ambassadors and high commissioners in London today. The event at Somerset House provided an opportunity for the First Minister to meet with the wider diplomatic community, set out her priorities and discuss opportunities for Wales with representatives from other nations. Eluned Morgan said: “I’m keen that the Welsh Government takes an active role in developing opportunities within and outside Wales. The diplomatic community provides excellent support in helping build closer relations with other national and regional governments. “We’ve had some major investments announced by multinationals in Wales in…

A Cardiff Metropolitan University student has become a world boxing champion this week, after representing Wales on the international stage. Dan Pitt, 18, from Brecon, mid Wales, competed in the U19 World Boxing Championships which took place in Colorado, having recently been signed by the Welsh Boxing Elite Squad. Dan competed in the 85kg class and faced two tough opponents, first in the semi-finals competing and winning against Aryan Aryan from India. He went on to compete and win against Kazakhstan’s national champion, Danial Raimbekov – achieving the title of champion. Alongside his prospering boxing career, Dan is in his…

The long-serving owners of a residential care home have passed on their business, thanks to a £1.2 million loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Gwyddfor Residential Home, situated near Bodedern, Anglesey, has been run by couple Glyn and Mary Williams since 2004. The 27-room home has now been bought by a new husband and wife team, Dr Bethan and Kayode Emola, who between them have experience in medical practice and the care sector. The purchase was supported with a loan from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund. The home provides accommodation and care to elderly residents with 22 ground-floor rooms…

CWM ALBION, the Swansea football team once dubbed the UK’s ‘Best Worst Team,’ has continued its remarkable journey as it has embarked on an impressive unbeaten streak, rivalling that of the promotion-winning Welsh national squad. With the men’s Welsh team yesterday reaching promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, a lesser-known squad in Swansea is mirroring Craig Bellamy’s undefeated streak – a far cry from the results the team has been used to in past seasons. The team, who play in the Swansea Senior League Division 2, had the unenviable record of losing all 22 of their…

Earlier this year, Urban Foundry’s PopUp Wales project partnered with Caerphilly Borough County Council to launch a new space on High Street in Bargoed. This followed the success of similar projects in Swansea and Bridgend, which have helped to revitalise town centres and provide new opportunities for local start-ups and entrepreneurs. Success in Bargoed The Bargoed space has seen great success, offering events, trade testing opportunities, training, and co-working spaces to local start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. The impact has been far-reaching. We spoke to Rhian Parry from Mennow’s, who currently has a pop-up market stall in the High Street…

Newport is definitely getting into the festive spirit and people are flocking to the city centre in their thousands. Saturday’s Countdown to Christmas event saw 2,000 more people attend compared to last year’s already very popular event. Visitors enjoyed live music, fairground rides, festive food, celebrities and fireworks. The whole of last week saw amazing footfall with figures up 20 per cent on the previous week and up 12 per cent on the same week last year. Partners at Friars Walk also recorded double the footfall of a normal Saturday. And there is so much more to head into the…