Latest news with #NigelWilliams
Leader Live
06-07-2025
- Leader Live
Where to stay for the Wrexham Eisteddfod this August
The influx is due to the National Eisteddfod, which will take place in August and is expected to bring high demand for accommodation throughout the region. Caravan camping on the Eisteddfod Maes has already sold out, though limited tent pitches are still available both onsite and at the new Hwyrnos location. A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: "If you still haven't managed to arrange your accommodation for the Eisteddfod week, some availability remains within the area, although as demand is high, we'd recommend securing your booking as soon as possible." The council highlighted Wrexham's wide selection of verified hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation, and holiday parks—all ready to offer a warm Welsh welcome/ Visitors are encouraged to explore the wider region if they struggle to find accommodation in Wrexham itself. Regional tourism partners have listings for nearby areas, including Go North Wales, Visit Chester & Cheshire, and Visit Shropshire. Councillor Nigel Williams, lead member for economy, regeneration, and tourism, said: "If you're staying in the Wrecsam area for Eisteddfod week – why not explore some of our local attractions too? "We're home to the 11-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte, we have two National Trust Estates (Erddig and Chirk Castle), plus other great places to visit such as the picturesque Ceiriog Valley on the edge of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Xplore Science Discovery Centre, Ty Pawb (arts, markets and food hall), a vibrant traffic-free city centre, great pubs and bars including the Saith Seren (our Cymraeg community centre and pub), as well as some great places to eat. "We can't wait to give a Wrecsam Croeso to everyone." READ MORE: Young people share thousands of ideas to help shape the future of Wrexham The council has also encouraged local tourism businesses to make use of the free Helo Blod translation service to add a Welsh-language welcome to their marketing materials. Official accommodation listings for Wrexham County can be found on the Visit Wales website, while the North East Wales tourism partnership also offers a selection of accredited providers. For those willing to stay further afield, additional options are available through Visit Chester & Cheshire, Visit Shropshire, and Go North Wales.
Leader Live
04-07-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Wrexham to host colourful bee trail for Wales In Bloom
The city will host the project, part of the Wales In Bloom scheme, which will feature bee-themed artworks created by schoolchildren and displayed to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. Dozens of uniquely decorated bees will be placed throughout the streets and markets, forming a circular trail beginning and ending near Tŷ Pawb. READ MORE: Protest by St David's School Action Group sends message to Flintshire councillors Councillor Nigel Williams, lead member for economy and regeneration, said: "We are thrilled to showcase the creativity of our young people while raising awareness about the incredible work bees do for our planet. "This trail is a colourful reminder of how nature thrives even in urban spaces, and is a celebration of Wrexham's commitment to supporting biodiversity through Wales in Bloom." The trail is free to explore, and visitors can collect a bee trail leaflet from either the Tŷ Pawb reception or the Visitor Information Centre. You can also colour in your own bee and add it to the growing 'hive' at Tŷ Pawb. The bee trail is now open until Sunday, September 1.
Wales Online
29-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh bakery creating 150 jobs in £47m expansion
Welsh bakery creating 150 jobs in £47m expansion The business is ramping up its production and storage capacity Jones Village bakery Wrexham: chief executive Simon Thorpe and Wrexham councillor Nigel Williams. (Image: Picture Mandy Jones ) Jones Village Bakery is investing £47m to expand its production and storage capacity in a move that will create 150 new jobs. The investment will see a new £20m production line to make bread and rolls at its headquarters site on Wrexham Industrial Estate. When it becomes operational, the 140,000 sq ft bakery in Ash Road will be full to capacity. It is also planning to convert and extend a storage facility that was built on a nearby site of the company's bakery that was destroyed by a devastating fire in 2019. The scheme will see an additional investment of £27m and the new bakery will enable the company to continue to ramp up production. Last year private equity firm Limerston Capital sold its majority stake in the business to French bakery venture Menissez. In financial year to the end of September, 2023, Village Bakery employed 740 with revenues of nearly £100m. Article continues below Wales experiences big rise in foreign direct investment projects READ MORE: Its chief executive Simon Thorpe said: "This is the beginning of yet another new and exciting chapter in the Village Bakery success story. "Our plan is to rise, phoenix-like from the ashes and turn the old fire site where the bakery burned down into a state-of-the-art facility. "Once again we will be marrying the very best equipment available with our craft bakery skills so we can make even more fantastic products in greater volume." Projects director Kris Green said: "The additional capacity is needed because of our burgeoning order book thanks to the growing appetite for our products, not just here in the UK but also across Europe and as far afield as Australia. "It's going to enable us to make a wider range of products with a real focus on quality." Former managing director and chief executive, Robin Jones said: "Between them, these two major investments will create 150 new jobs – 30 of them at the site of the former bakery that was destroyed. "It was a heartbreaking experience but thankfully nobody was hurt and our darkest day also became our finest hour. "We are now growing faster than ever and his is great news for Wrexham and the local economy." Nigel Williams, Wrexham County Borough Council's lead member for economy, business and tourism, said: "How the company has bounced back after the fire and the growth they've had since then is phenomenal – the company is a great ambassador for Wrexham. Article continues below "It's great to hear that they have the confidence to continue investing in Wrexham – their commitment to Wrexham is 100% and the extra jobs coming here are great news for the local economy. "It's very much a family brand and a place to work with a family ethos which is nice to see nowadays."
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Grant and loans to re-energise city centre
Wrexham Council will use £200k of Transforming Towns funding to offer grants of up to £50k as well as offering commercial city centre loans between £5,000 and £1,000,000 repayable of a maximum period of five-years. Subject to eligibility, the schemes can be used to enhance building frontages, bring vacant commercial floor space back into use. The loans scheme can also be used to support the purchase of city centre buildings. Transforming Towns is a Welsh Government initiative designed to help regenerate town centres, ensuring they continue to play a key role in local economies and communities. Councillor Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy, said: 'This is an incredibly exciting time for Wrexham, and these grants and loans will help revitalise and enhance city centre properties. "I would encourage eligible owners and leaseholders to apply for this funding, and help breathe new life into their premises. 'Wrexham is Wales' newest city, and it's important we have a vibrant and exciting city centre.' Cabinet secretary for housing and local government, Jayne Bryant, praised the success of the Transforming Towns programme in her speech to the All-Wales Regeneration Conference in February, saying: 'By investing in our towns and city centres, we are not only enhancing the physical environment but also fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents. 'Bringing empty properties back into active use and breathing new life into our town and city centres are key pillars of our regeneration strategy here in Wales. 'The continuation of the grant programme, with increased funding and grant allowances, makes funding for regeneration projects more accessible, enabling us to build on the successes we have already achieved.' Grants are available to retail and commercial property owners and lease holders with premises in the city centre. All grant works must be complete by February 28, 2026. Loans are available to retail and commercial property owners and lease holders with premises in the city centre or those planning to buy in the city centre. These monies can be used to help fund external and internal building works including Shopfronts, roof and structural works and repurposing internal building layouts. MORE NEWS Loan funds can be used to support the creation of units for residential accommodation subject to planning approval being in place. If you would like more information around eligibility of works and including how to apply for Transforming Towns Property Development Grant email Grants@ If you would like more information around eligibility of works for Transforming Towns city centre loans including how to apply email loans@
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh tourist attraction named 'best in the UK' closed off to public over safety fears
Welsh tourist attraction named 'best in the UK' closed off to public over safety fears The Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall, or Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr in Welsh, is situated in Gwydir Forest near Llanrwst and Trefriw and has been closed off to the public The twin cascades of Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr in Gwydir Forest, north Wales (Image: Hogyn Lleol/Wiki ) The Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall, or Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr in Welsh, a natural marvel located within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, has been temporarily closed to the public. Nestled in Gwydir Forest near Llanrwst and Trefriw, this horsetail waterfall is considered one of the finest of its kind in the UK. A horsetail fall cascades down a slope, spreading out while remaining in contact with the bedrock. Adding to its tranquillity and uniqueness, the Grey Mare is situated amidst a dense forest surrounded by lakes and mountains at the heart of Eryri. Its two cascading streams, divided by a prominent rock at their summit, further contribute to its allure. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Last year, it was named the "best hidden waterfall walk in the UK". It garnered high praise from visitors, with one reviewer commenting, "Absolutely amazing place," and recounting their experience: "We visited on a lovely weekend and nobody was there. It was so relaxing to be there." Presently, however, access to this idyllic spot is restricted, with warning signs posted along the roadside attributing the closure to safety measures. No official date for reopening the site has been announced, reports North Wales Live. Grey Mare's Tail waterfall (Image: Nigel Williams/Wiki ) Article continues below A representative from Eryri National Park addressed the closure, stating, "The site at Coed Felin Blwm is currently closed to the public mainly due to safety concerns arising from a number of unsafe trees. While the majority of essential work has already been completed, it has not yet been fully finished. "Due to the beginning of the nesting season, it is now more difficult to carry out the remaining work, and there is also a need to undertake maintenance on some of the paths within the site before access can be fully reopened. "Whilst the site has been closed, we have also taken the opportunity to collect samples from the area as part of our ongoing environmental monitoring and these are currently being assessed externally. We will notify the public via our social media channels once the site is safe to reopen." The waterfall's Welsh moniker, Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr, harks back to the historic Parc Mine located in Gwydir Forest, which feeds the stream leading to the falls. Situated just off the B5106 road between Llanrwst and Trefriw in the Conwy Valley, the falls feature a shallow plunge pool beneath them, with waters continuing under the road towards the Afon Conwy. Not far from the falls stands Gwydir Castle, a fortified Tudor mansion whose owner, Sir John Wynn, ingeniously utilised the water for his ornamental gardens in the 1550s. Water collected above the falls was directed along the hillside into a reservoir, creating enough pressure to power the garden's fountain. Article continues below The name Grey Mare's Tail was bestowed upon the falls by Lady Willoughby of Gwydir. The adjacent woodland bears the name Coed Felin Blwm ("Lead Mill Wood"), a nod to the area's industrial past. Close to the waterfall, the ruins of mill buildings are a testament to the former Felin Blwm lead mill that processed ore from Parc Mine.
