Author: Rhys Gregory

More than 200 Welsh businesses have benefitted from 239 investments totalling £51 million from the Development Bank of Wales in the first half year of 2023/24 with private co-investment of an extra £26.6 million taking total economic impact to £77.7 million. The latest data shows 1,718 jobs have been created or safeguarded. 30% of customers have benefitted from streamlined fast track loans allowing businesses to take advantage of growth opportunities such as investing in more stock or new equipment. 48 of the investments year to date have been for start-ups and 47 have gone to young entrepreneurs aged 30 and…

Whether it’s a crisp winter stroll, a pre-Christmas dinner jaunt to build up an appetite, or a Boxing Day walk to blow away the cobwebs, the festive period is a time when many will be getting outdoors and enjoying the countryside. From snow-capped hills and frosty fields to brisk beaches, Wales is brimming with beautiful and rugged scenery that can be carefully enjoyed in the winter as much as it can in the warmer months. And alongside the all-important decision of which country pub – complete with roaring fire – that you’ll be stopping at en route, here’s a list…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to bring to the market, Family Shopper, a convenience store in Ammanford, Wales. Located on Wind Street, the store surrounded by an array of other local businesses and shops, and is relied upon by the local residents for its wide range of everyday essentials. Family Shopper is currently owned by Kam Sandhu who has given it a new lease of life through a recent refurbishment. Kam, who owns two other successful stores, now hopes to pass it on to a new owner as he plans to relocate. This is a fantastic…

Food and drink manufacturers and processing businesses in Wales can gain skills and knowledge on how to build practical plans in response to climate change and challenging Net Zero targets through a series of workshops held in January 2024. Managed by Food & Drink Skills Wales, a programme funded by Welsh Government and committed to working with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce; the free, tutor-led online training courses and workshops will help eligible businesses take action on their sustainability and decarbonisation goals. Businesses can also book a free one-to-one session with the tutor…

ST GERARD’S SCHOOL has undergone a period of significant development and investment in past months. Improvements have been made to the building and gardens at the beloved Bangor institution, in addition to new fencing, better access, signage, lighting and landscaping. Over the autumn, the independent school was sandblasted, the roof and guttering cleared, there was a revamp of  parent areas, the ‘mindfulness room’ and entrance, and a ‘wellbeing walk’ has been created in picturesque woodlands around the seven-acre site. A ‘careers café’ was hosted in partnership with Bangor University, a state-of-the-art computer system implemented – streamlining communications with parents and…

Craig Maxwell has been named the winner of the inaugural Cycling Plus Rider of the Year award, following an inspirational show of determination in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis at 40. Beating off contenders including 2023 World Cycling Champion Dame Sarah Storey and National Cyclocross Champion Zoe Backstedt, Pembrokeshire-born Maxwell took the title after receiving thousands of votes. The award from cycling magazine Cycling Plus recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on cycling in 2023, whether through racing, participation in events, leadership in the community, or other notable contributions to the sport. The ex WRU Commercial…

As the festive season kicks off with a bang, families across the north of Cardiff are being offered a free Santa’s Grotto experience with more than 600 children expected to meet the big man himself! With a Santa’s Grotto typically costing upwards of £10 per child, the expense for some households is becoming an additional burden during an already tough winter. To support families during this time, local education and social care recruitment company, New Directions, will be holding 10 Grotto visits where children can meet Santa and his Elves and receive a special gift, straight from the North Pole!…

Psychologists at the University of South Wales (USW) have established a ‘Housing and Health Centre of Excellence’ to address the growing call for research into the impact of housing on health in Wales. Funded by Knowledge Exchange and Innovation fund (KEIF), the Centre also aims to address the need for more effective collaboration across the sector. It will bring together a cross-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder network to collaboratively explore housing and health from a psychological perspective across policy, research, and practice. In November, the Centre convened a consensus event with key individuals from practice, academia, government, statutory, and the third sector organisations…

Asbri Golf Ltd based in Caerphilly, teed off a great end to the year with help from Caerphilly Borough County Council’s Business Enterprise and Renewal’s international trade support. With help from Sarah Gaze, the Council’s International Trade Support Officer, they secured a UKSPF International Trade Grant of £2000.00 to assist with financing a recent trade visit to Canada. Founded by Eryl Williams in 2001, Asbri was originally a product design consultancy which was commissioned to design sporting footwear, apparel and accessories to many global brands including Fila, Kappa, Puma and Umbro. Utilising this product design, developing, and sourcing knowledge, Asbri…

Transport for Wales (TfW) in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd, Eryri National Park and Conwy County Borough Council have celebrated success for the revitalised Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service at this year’s UK Bus Awards. Sherpa’r Wyddfa relaunched in July last year offering more services and better integration for passengers travelling in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and received a silver award in the Buses for Leisure category at the UK Bus Awards in The Troxy, London on Tuesday 28 November. The service was also highly commended as part of the Going for Growth category. With thousands of visitors to Eryri National Park…