Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh Government has awarded Pembrokeshire County Council a further £6.5million towards the cost of building the new integrated health and social care hub in Pembroke. The grant has been awarded through the social care Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund (IRCF) for the plans underway at the Pembroke Hwb regeneration project at South Quay. The Pembroke Hwb will be a modern, accessible social care, health and community hub and supports the region’s aim to build active, resourceful, connected, sustainable and creative communities as we shift away from managing need to creating capability. Taking an integrated service approach, the Hwb will deliver…

Transport for Wales will now offer discounted fares for Hywel Dda staff on certain TrawsCymru bus services. Following a three-month free travel pilot, Transport for Wales (TfW) has teamed up with Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) to offer long term discounted bus travel for health board staff to encourage workers to travel more sustainably and to help reduce pressure on NHS car parks. The bus services included within the promotion are the T1, T1A, T1X and T2, T28. Hywel Dda UHB staff will be able to catch the TrawsCymru T1 service, operated by First Cymru, that runs between Carmarthen…

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates has confirmed plans that will enable a major rail capacity boost on the North Wales Mainline in 2026. Transport for Wales will increase rail capacity by 40%, with 50% more timetabled services, supported by an £800m investment in brand new CAF trains and the recruitment of additional drivers and train crew. Changes at a number of level crossings are required to be able to operate these additional services on the line. To support this, Network Rail and Transport for Wales are jointly undertaking a programme of local consultation, planning and…

Corporate law is an unusual beast, and one which poses unique challenges to the businesses and practices that make their bread within it. It is a field with many different avenues and specialisms, from the governance of intellectual copyright to the exploration of legal compliance with respect to any number of different sectors or disciplines. Corporate law also has something of a negative reputation, not in the least due to litigious behaviour from large businesses that ranges from pragmatic to predatory. One recent such story relates to Disney, who made headlines in late 2024 for a creative approach to denying…

The global publicity generated by Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood owners is attracting high-spending international visitors to North Wales, according to a tourism chief. Jim Jones, the Chief Executive of North Wales Tourism, described the impact of A-listers Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds taking over the club as “an absolute gamechanger”. The subsequent success of the club on the pitch and the popularity of the hit TV series, Welcome to Wrexham, were attracting a growing global audience. Mr Jones was speaking ahead of the annual Go North Wales Tourism Awards at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 21. The Oscars-style ceremony…

Swansea local communities are being given the chance to host their own heritage-themed events. Funding of up to £7,000 is being made available for each one by Swansea Council. Events could range from a food festival to a shop local campaign or from a festival of lights to a fair featuring craft suppliers. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We want great ideas to boost our local communities. “We want these events to drive footfall and to support existing businesses. “All our local areas have their own strengths and unique heritage – and they’ve all played a key role in building Swansea’s…

The Princess Quarter development is transforming a vacant, disused building into high-quality retail and office spaces in the heart of Swansea city centre. The ground floor comprises of flexible retail unit space with three storeys above providing luxury offices. On-site cycle storage and a roof garden is also being provided and will be accessible to occupiers. The location also encourages active travel with Swansea’s transport links within walking distance. More than £2.6m worth of grant funding has been provided through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Jayne Bryant, recently visited the…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Bush House Care Home in Pembroke, Wales. Bush House Care Home is a well-regarded care home with an enviable reputation for delivering excellent quality care to up to 36 elderly residents. The business occupies an impressive, Victorian former private residence that was converted to its current use in 1990. It has maintained many of its original features and is spacious throughout, with high ceilings and decorative features, and also enjoys picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. The home has been owned by multiple operators, Fred and Gwladys Barnfield…

A Port-Talbot based wellbeing professional is supporting families and children struggling to manage challenging behaviour and mental health issues, having launched a dedicated wellbeing company with the help of Business Wales. Prior to launching Impact Wellbeing Solutions Ltd, Jade Ruck spent the last 15 years of her professional career providing support to children, young adults and veterans struggling with their wellbeing and mental health. Jade made the decision that creating her own company would allow her to better help people in her community and founded Impact to provide a variety of methods including play therapy, conflict resolution and motivational coaching.…

Wild Lakes, based at Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has made the switch to solar power following a £40,700 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, via the Welsh Government-backed Green Business Loan Scheme. The attraction is Wales’ first wake park, and is fast becoming Wales’ premier wakeboarding hub, drawing thousands of visitors each year. In addition to its on-site aqua park, it also hosts a large indoor climbing wall, and offers South American street food in its tipis. The new 20kWh solar array has allowed the owners of Wild Lakes to switch from powering the cables which create the artificial surf in…