Author: Rhys Gregory

AN historic multi award winning south Wales valleys pub at the centre of its community for decades which has hosted stars of screen and politics is looking for a new role. Treorchy’s imposing Pencelli Hotel, reputed to have been a favoured haunt of Hollywood megastars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, called last orders a couple of years ago. But now the Rhondda valley pub, which can trace its history back to the eighteenth century, is looking for a new lease of life under fresh ownership. The former hostelry, on Pencai Terrace, next to the town’s Pengelli Bowls Club and pristine…

Newport-based Harding Evans Solicitors has announced its latest round of promotions, which includes three new partners. The new partners are Residential Conveyancer Jamie Beese, Commercial Litigator William Watkins and Leah Thomas, who was recently appointed as the head of the Family & Matrimonial team. Their promotions see Harding Evans’ partnership grow to seventeen. Clinical Negligence specialist, Ashleigh Hill, has also been promoted to Senior Associate. The promotions come off the back of a period of continuous growth for the firm. Chairman Ken Thomas commented “Jamie, William, Leah and Ashleigh are fantastic solicitors who all work tirelessly for their clients. It…

AN EDUCATION and industry partnership created a pioneering ‘data dashboard’ for an engineering solutions company. Medru – a joint initiative between Coleg Cambria, Bangor University, and The Open University in Wales – teamed up with AMRC Cymru to create the system for Hawarden-based LCA Group Ltd. The project highlights the synergies between academia, industry, and technology in driving forward digital transformation in North Wales. They developed a proof-of-concept data dashboard that showcases the power of real-time data analysis and visualisation. Medru’s commitment to leveraging advanced data integration, adaptive design, comprehensive analytics, and stringent security measures promises a transformative impact on…

SMALL businesses will take flight by capitalising on export opportunities with the support of Antur Cymru Enterprise. The Global Reach Out Programme is funded by UK Government, powered by Levelling Up and delivered by Antur Cymru Enterprise in collaboration with International Trade Support Group and Powys County Council. The project explores trade and overseas partnerships via a series of funded remote and in-person training sessions which resume this month. Delivered by international trade advisor Clive Barnard – who has more than 30 year’s industry experience, including a decade with Business Wales – attendees from across the region can learn all…

A vibrant new mural is the latest addition to the artwork and colourful streetscape of a recently regenerated city centre road. A delicate pink waterlily is the centrepiece of the new painting which has been produced by local artist, Rmer One, on the side of The Health Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine building owned by Mr Pak Hong Lam on Tudor Street. The mural is the newest piece of art in the Tudor Street area where a major regeneration scheme, including commercial, environmental and transport improvements, has recently been completed. With Welsh Government support via its Transforming Towns and Active…

South Wales Police officers are investigating a disturbance at Tesco in St Mellons, Cardiff. The incident took place yesterday evening (Tuesday, May 7), and police are appealing for witnesses. CCTV shows a man threatening another man with a machete just before 6pm yesterday. There have been no reports of any injuries. There were lots of people in the shop at the time and police are aware that the incident may have been filmed on mobile phones. The police are now asking  anyone with footage, or anyone who witnessed what happened to contact them. Please contact South Wales Police by one…

Leading law firm Blake Morgan has announced the promotions of two of its lawyers in Wales to Partner. Charlotte Whitehead and Tomos Lewis on 1 May. These appointments recognise the talent and commitment of both lawyers, as well as the exceptional support and advice they have provided to clients and colleagues over their years with the firm. Tomos Lewis, originally from Bangor, joined Blake Morgan in 2018 and has since made an invaluable contribution to the Commercial and Charities team in Cardiff.  He specialises in public procurement law, complex high-value contracts and projects, sports law, and governance and data protection.…

Deciding on the right name for a new pet is tricky. From getting a sense of what suits their personality to coming up with something unique and personal, there’s lots to think about. Despite this, some dog and cat names are more common than others. Pet insurance experts, Petsure, have revealed which names are the most popular for dogs and cats in the UK. Petsure’s Content Manager Allie has also offered some ideas for new pet parents on how to name their new four-legged friends. The top 20 most popular dog and cat names in 2024 according to Petsure: Rank…

Businesses across Swansea have benefited from grant funding worth £500,000 over the last year. The grants have been allocated by Swansea Council, thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. A further £500,000 in grants has also now been approved, so even more Swansea businesses will soon benefit. The grants range from pre-start grants and website development grants to business growth grants, supplier development grants and carbon reduction grants. Among the businesses to have benefited from grant funding is Bowla – A Bowl with a Roll. Based in Swansea Market, the business received a website…

Award-winning communications agency the Orchard Media and Events Group is setting up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), one of a small number of Welsh pioneers who are following well-known brands such as John Lewis Partnership, Aardman, and Riverford in putting the business in the hands of its 70 strong team to protect its future independence. Orchard has been providing a range of creative communications services to clients in Wales and across the world for 14 years, from Welsh Government to Principality Building Society, Aston Martin and Qatar Airways to Nando’s, the AA and Netflix. The agency creates corporate and public…