Author: Rhys Gregory

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, announced that it has provided more than £100m worth of funding to business owners aged between 18-24 years old, equating to more than 15,000 loans since the programme launched in 2012. £5m of the funding has been provided to more than 600 businesses founded by 18-24-year-olds in Wales. New data also reveals that the most entrepreneurial constituencies in the region are Newport East (£306,700) followed by Swansea East and Swansea West. Each Swansea constituency received nearly £300,000 to help Gen Z business owners start up or grow their young businesses. These…

Nominations are officially open for the highly anticipated Child of Wales Awards 2024, set to take place at Swansea Arena on September 27, 2024. This prestigious annual event shines a bright light on the remarkable achievements and resilience of the young people of Wales, while raising vital funds for charities dedicated to supporting children across the nation. Following the overwhelming success of the previous years’ events, Child of Wales 2024 is once again poised to recognise the extraordinary accomplishments of children nationwide. Now in its third year, the Awards will be an emotional, inspirational, and unforgettable affair for all involved,…

Over four decades ago, rural West Wales was at the centre of the greatest drugs bust in history. The police investigation, Operation Julie, resulted in dozens of arrests and the discovery of LSD worth £100 million. Next Spring, the hit musical play from Theatr na nÓg and Aberystwyth Arts Centre returns to explore the story from both sides of the drugs divide – the police, and the hippies who settled in West Wales hoping to spread their ideals in a changing world. The co-producers are thrilled to announce that many of the cast will return to reprise their roles, with…

Hiraeth, the independently run pub and restaurant that secured its place in the prestigious Michelin Guide within eight months of opening, has relocated to Bridgend’s Court Colman Manor Hotel, taking over the stately manor hotel’s 50 cover restaurant. Hiraeth’s relocation comes after the landlord of their original site chose to put the 400-year-old building near Cowbridge up for sale. Having completed their final service at the pub on new year’s eve, the Hiraeth team have pulled out all of the stops to refurbish the dining room at Court Colman Manor, creating a calming, modern space which uses plenty of natural materials…

PopUp Wales and Cwmpas have launched two new projects to support businesses across Bridgend County Borough. The Social Enterprise Programme will be led by Cwmpas and will provide workshops, business advice, networking, and masterclasses to help social enterprises and community organisations to become more sustainable. They will also help to promote, adapt, and diversify existing products and services to respond to market demand. Meanwhile, Urban Foundry’s PopUp Wales initiative supports start-ups and small business by matching affordable pop-up space across the county borough with great business ideas. Helping people find a short-term space to test the market, grow their business…

Renting out dangerous properties in Cardiff has cost two landlords thousands of pounds. Last Friday (February 9), Rowshanara Begum, of Clive Street, Grangetown, was fined £20,000 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court for failing to comply with five Improvement Notices for work to a house she rents out in Blaenclydach Street, Grangetown. The previous day, on Thursday February 8, Lawford Cunningham, from Edgbaston, Birmingham, was fined £3,000 for failing to comply with legislation relating to the licensing and management of a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) he owns in Ferry Road, Grangetown. 19 Blaenclydach Street, Grangetown, Cardiff This case came to light…

PEOPLE are being offered the chance to spend time at some of Swansea’s most scenic locations on spring and summer afternoons – and get paid for it. Swansea Council is recruiting 13 seasonal Cleansing Operatives whose job it will be to help keep some of our most popular tourist spots spic and span in the spring and summer months. The six-month stint runs from April to September, the busiest time of year for visits to places like Langland, Swansea Bay Caswell Bay and Port Eynon. Applicants need to get their bids in by February 21. The beach cleaning initiative is…

Ambitious proposals to invest more than £400m in new and improved school buildings across Swansea have been approved by the council’s cabinet. The programme would be largely funded by Welsh Government with a local funding contribution including developer contributions and capital receipts. The Welsh Government has asked all councils in Wales to submit their funding ideas and investment priorities for school facilities for the next nine years. The new round of investment in children’s futures being proposed by the council is subject to Welsh Government financial support and approval. The new programme will build on the success story of the…

Swansea’s pioneering free buses initiative is to get a £400,000 boost in the coming year. The hugely-popular boost for families and businesses alike has been a feature of school holidays in the city over the last three years. And Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said money set to be injected into the offer will allow even more people to enjoy more free rides in the months ahead. The initiative is part of the council’s plan to invest record levels of funding in schools and social services in the next financial year, despite facing huge financial pressures. Like other councils…

Caerphilly residents have been in engaged in conversation over the town’s regeneration projects under the Caerphilly Town 2035 umbrella. Excitement is building over the future of the town, and the recent engagement sessions found there was mostly a warm reception to all the plans put forward, with the proposed cultural centre having an overwhelmingly positive response. The feedback also revealed that traffic, parking, and transport remains an issue for those living and working in the area, while the heritage of the town is important to residents and should be considered in future plans. Throughout October and November, a four-week exhibition…