Plans approved for new Aldi and Starbucks in Port Talbot
The plans for the residential area have been in the works since 2022, and were given the go-ahead by councillors at a planning committee meeting held in June 2025. They are now expected to transform the currently empty 12,135 square metre plot of land which has been described as being an eyesore by locals in recent years.
The land was previously used in historical industry as the site of a former 19th century tin plate works, as well as more recently as a council yard and a petrol station.
READ MORE: 'Huge explosion' heard across two counties as ground shakes and windows rattle
READ MORE: 'My baby died after I was left alone by midwives in Welsh hospital'
However, the approved proposals could now see the creation of a mixed use development with an Aldi food store built alongside a Starbucks coffee shop with a drive-through and customer parking.
The application read: "The proposal seeks full planning permission to build a single-storey Aldi food store and a Starbucks A3 café unit with associated drive-thru, including customer parking and a service yard."
The scheme will include 141 parking spaces once completed with eight for disabled users, nine for parents with children, and seven bicycle hoops for up to 11 bikes.
It will also feature 18 electric vehicle charging points along with a new pedestrian access off Afan Way and a cycling route.
A representative speaking on behalf of the applicant said the plans had received a largely positive response from the public during the consultation period, with the report noting 317 representations of support in contrast to three objections.
They added that the development could also create over 40 jobs for local people, with a mixture of full-time and part-time positions expected.
Additional jobs are also anticipated during the construction phase of the project.
Local councillors in attendance welcomed the long-awaited plans which had been recommended by officers as they felt it could improve the area which was in need of development.
They were later approved by members with conditions following a unanimous vote. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news sign up to our newsletter here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Starbucks drive-through and Greggs approved despite concerns
A new Starbucks drive-through and a Greggs bakery can be opened on a 'derelict' site in Scarborough following the approval of plans. Plans for a Starbucks drive-through and a new Greggs in Seamer Road have been given the green light by North Yorkshire Council. The former Magnet Kitchen Showroom will be partially demolished despite concerns about potential impacts on existing town centre businesses. However, officers concluded that there were 'no existing opportunities within the town centre that comprise suitable, available, and viable alternatives to the application site'. No objections were made by members of the public or the Highway Authority, and the council noted that in its current state, the site had a negative impact on the surrounding area. RECOMMENDED READING: Plans to turn large commercial building above former Pizza Hut into 13 flats New 4,000 home development in North Yorkshire takes step forward Plans set to go in for new community-led housing development in York The Greggs and the Starbucks drive-through will share 50 parking bays, including four EV-bays, four mobility-impaired standard bays, two motorcycle-only parking bays, and bicycle storage. As part of the development, a new pedestrian refuge island crossing point will be constructed to the south of the existing entrance, and will be supported by dropped kerb crossings and tactile paving to aid pedestrian access across Seamer Road. 'The building has been vacant for some time, resulting in its deteriorated appearance, and metal fencing has been erected to bound the building so as to avoid vandalism. Former Magnet Showroom, Seamer Road. Google Maps 'The proposed scheme presents an opportunity to enhance the appearance of the building and the site in which it is situated. 'The development will see the demolition of a substantial portion of the building and its subsequent refurbishment to subdivide and form two separate units,' a report stated. According to submitted plans, no existing Greggs or Starbucks operation within North Yorkshire will be affected by the approval of the development. North Yorkshire Council granted the scheme planning permission, subject to conditions, on Friday, August 8.
Business Insider
42 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Shopify (SHOP) Delivers Knockout Q2 on Consumer Spending Boom
Shopify (SHOP) stock hit the highs like a rocket after its Q2 earnings dropped last week, powered by a stunning 31% revenue surge, AI-driven innovations, and a global merchant base that's growing like wildfire. Bears may point to the fact that gross margins took a hit. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Still, free cash flow margins soared to 16%, keeping the profitability engine humming. In the meantime, Shopify's valuation indeed looks steep, but with its e-commerce dominance and AI tailwinds, I'm betting the premium's worth it. Therefore, I remain Bullish on Shopify for the time being. Revenue Growth Accelerates Near Multi-Year Highs Shopify's revenue clocked in at $2.68 billion in Q2, a 31% year-over-year leap that outpaced last quarter's 26.8% and last year's 20.7% growth. In fact, if we exclude Q4-2024's similar growth of 31.1%, Q2-2025 was the best quarter in terms of revenue growth since Q4 of 2021. For a business as established as Shopify, this kind of acceleration is no small feat. It was the result of a mix of global expansion and smart product actions. Europe was a highlight here, with gross merchandise volume (GMV) spiking 42% on a constant currency basis, driven by localized strategies and partnerships that clicked with merchants. Prominent names like Starbucks (SBUX) and Canada Goose (GOOS) jumped on board, proving Shopify's platform is a magnet for brands of all sizes. Then there's the AI angle. Shopify's new tools, such as the Shopify Catalog and Universal Cart, are making it somewhat effortless for merchants to sell through AI-driven platforms like Microsoft (MSFT) Copilot. These integrations are boosting transaction volumes, with merchant solutions revenue soaring 37% to $2 billion, outpacing the 17% growth in subscription solutions. Add to that a 31% GMV increase to $87.8 billion, and it's clear Shopify's platform is thriving as more businesses lean into e-commerce. What I see in these numbers is a company capitalizing on its strengths, including flexibility, scalability, and a talent for staying ahead of commerce trends, just to name a few. So, whether it is powering small startups or international giants, Shopify's ability to deliver seamless solutions across channels is driving this growth spurt. Margin Pressures vs. Cash Flow Wins Not everything's rosy, though. Shopify's gross margin slipped 2.5% to 48.6%, a dip that stings when you're used to seeing steady profits. A shift toward lower-margin merchant solutions, which now make up 75% of revenue, plus rising costs from payment processing and platform expenses, were the main drivers for this decline. General and administrative costs also doubled to $122 million, raising some red flags about cost control as Shopify scales. But on the flip side, free cash flow margin held strong at 16%, marking eight straight quarters of double-digit margins. That's $422 million in free cash flow, up from $333 million last year. They were basically able to pull this off by operational discipline and AI-related efficiencies, with tools like Sidekick helping merchants optimize inventory and reduce churn, which cuts down on Shopify's own operational drag. The company is also getting better at squeezing more cash out of its growing revenue base, even as it invests heavily in AI and global expansion. Looking ahead, I believe AI is set to be a game-changer for margins. By automating tasks like product discovery and checkout, Shopify is reducing its own costs while boosting merchant efficiency. This should help offset gross margin pressures and keep free cash flow margins on an upward trajectory, making those profitability hiccups feel more like growing pains than dealbreakers. Is Shopify's Valuation Worth the Risk? Now, after its post-earnings rally, Shopify's stock is trading at a lofty 17x this year's expected sales and 104x expected EPS. That's enough to make any investor pause, as those are nosebleed multiples. Back in 2021, Shopify's sky-high valuation led to a multi-year slump when growth, while still explosive, couldn't keep up with the hype, and the stock still hasn't reclaimed those peaks. Overpaying for future growth is a real risk, and history shows it can lead to years of stagnant returns. Today, I'm not too concerned. Shopify is a different company now—battle-tested, with a track record of delivering on its promises. The AI wave is a powerful tailwind, and products like Sidekick and Checkout Kit position Shopify as the backbone of AI-driven commerce. Add in accelerating revenue growth and a diversified global presence, and the premium starts to look far more justified. With e-commerce and AI adoption surging, Shopify's leadership makes it a bet I'm willing to take. Is Shopify a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Wall Street remains relatively bullish on SHOP, even following its monstrous rally, with the stock carrying a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 19 Buy and 13 Hold recommendations over the past three months. Notably, not a single analyst rates the stock a Sell. SHOP's average stock price target of $159.14 suggests 6.4% upside from current levels. Shopify's Second Act is to Balance Valuation Shopify's story right now feels less like a mature company coasting and more like a startup that refuses to slow down. The numbers scream momentum, the AI tools are changing the rules, and the global land grab is just getting started. Yes, the valuation is steep, but so is the ambition. If Shopify keeps pushing 30%+ revenue and expanding free cash flow margins, this isn't a question of whether the premium is worth it. It's a question of how much runway is left before the next leg up. For me, it's a no-brainer to be bullish on SHOP stock, although given the recent stock price rally, there could be some profit-taking before the next leg higher.
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
The Power Of Workplace Organizing: Why Every Worker Should Consider It
Workplace satisfaction remains stubbornly low globally, and has steadily declined in the United States since 2020, even among employee segments that report enjoying their work. In an era of worker dissatisfaction that spans industries and generations, Jaz Brisack, Rhodes Scholar turned barista who helped organize the first unionized Starbucks in the United States, argues in their groundbreaking book Get on the Job and Organize: Standing Up for a Better Workplace and a Better World that workers should organize not just when they hate their jobs—but especially when they love them. This counterintuitive insight points to the heart of organizing workplaces - it's not solely about fixing problems, but claiming fundamental rights to dignity and meaningful participation in the places where we spend most of our waking hours. Organizing Is Not a Dirty Word For those wary of workplace organizing, it's worth nothing that employee-led collective action has shaped many benefits we take for granted. Over the years, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), diversity committees, and other worker-led initiatives have secured accommodations that are now considered standard practice: designated parking spaces for expecting parents, private nursing rooms for new mothers, quiet spaces for neurodivergent employees and those who speak English as a second language to focus on work, and flexible hybrid arrangements that allow caregivers to balance their professional and family responsibilities. Even the hybrid work arrangements that became widespread during the pandemic were often the result of employee groups that had been advocating for flexibility long before COVID-19 made remote work an emergency necessity. These practices have emerged from employees identifying shared needs and advocating for change. Beyond Crisis: Organizing When You Love Your Job We tend to think of unions as something you turn to when working conditions or pay are beyond tolerance. Brisack, cofounder of the Inside Organizer School and organizing director for Workers United, challenges this reactive approach with a proactive vision. They make a case for organizing at work, focused on five key principles: Securing Employee Voice: Even in companies with engaged leadership and progressive values, most workers remain fundamentally powerless over decisions that affect their daily lives. In the past month, formerly progressive companies such as Starbucks have instituted sweeping return-to-office (RTO) mandates, a move that's deeply antithetical to worker demands. Organizing enables workers to move from being consulted to being true partners in workplace governance. As Brisack notes, it's about gaining "a true voice in the company" and shifting "the power dynamic" to achieve equality with corporate management. Workplace Democracy as a Right: If we want to see democratic norms and values in society, we must push for it at work. Most workers spend upwards of 40-hours each week under what Brisack calls "a dictatorship of the bosses." Organizing represents the only proven mechanism for bringing genuine democracy to the workplace, transforming it from a hierarchy into a collaborative partnership. Human Dignity, Not Vanity Metrics: It is a well established fact that the most productive and innovative employees are ones that are allowed to bring their full humanity to work. This is increasingly important as automation and efficiency pressures reduce workers to data points rather than recognizing them as whole people with needs, aspirations, and rights. Long-term Stability Through Collective Action: While well-intentioned companies may offer benefits and improvements to retain talent, these gestures remain fundamentally paternalistic—subject to withdrawal when priorities or leadership change as we've seen with RTO mandates, reduction in paid family and medical leave and other benefits over the past year. Organizing also creates stability during management transitions, economic downturns, and shifting corporate strategies. Accountability to Stated Values: Most organizations market themselves as progressive employers committed to social responsibility, diversity, and worker wellbeing. Organizing holds these companies accountable to their public commitments, ensuring that public-facing messaging translates into binding workplace policies. Beyond Unions: The Spectrum of Workplace Organizing While Brisack's book focuses primarily on formal unionization, the principles of workplace organizing extend far beyond traditional labor unions. Workers can build collective power through various approaches: Any form of collective action, be it formal or informal, recognized or underground, offers the ability to shift power dynamics and create opportunities for meaningful workplace democracy. And the ripple effects of workplace organizing extends to communities as well. Research highlights that areas with large percentages of organized workers show improved outcomes across indicators of community wellbeing - from greater income and economic equity, to greater rates of civic engagement and social cohesion, as well as progressive policies on healthcare, education, and worker protections that benefit all residents. These community benefits underscore that workplace organizing is not a zero-sum conflict between workers and employers, but rather a mechanism for building more equitable and prosperous communities. Getting Started with Workplace Organizing For workers inspired to begin organizing their own workplaces, Brisack offers practical guidance grounded in real campaign experience: Organizing Is The Future of Workplace Democracy A new generation of workers is leading the charge, rejecting the false choice between loving one's job and organizing for better conditions. These workers are no longer in traditionally blue collar industries. Organizing efforts have expanded to companies like Apple, Amazon, and various tech startups responding to fundamental change in the nature of work. As job security decreases from the ascendance of AI, benefits erode, and economic inequality widens, workers across all industries recognize the need for collective action to secure basic economic security and workplace dignity. Jaz Brisack's Get on the Job and Organize arrives at a critical moment offering a key insight—that workers should organize their beloved workplaces, not just their toxic ones—challenges us to think more expansively about what work could be. The ultimate goal, as Brisack frames it, is not just better wages or working conditions, but enabling workers to become "more fully free, more fully realized, more fully human." In a society increasingly dominated by corporate power, workplace organizing represents one of the most promising pathways toward genuine democracy and shared prosperity. Whether through formal unionization or alternative collective action strategies, workers who organize together are not just improving their own lives—they're participating in the long American tradition of expanding democracy and opportunity for all. In that sense, workplace organizing is not just a labor issue, but a fundamental question of what kind of society we want to build together. Jaz Brisack is touring the US – with stops at independent and campus bookstores across the country. Join her for engaging discussions about her book and discover why readers and critics alike are calling it a must-read. Check local listings for tour dates and bookstore locations near you.
