Latest news with #AngleseyCouncil
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Anglesey special tax zone plan could 'create thousands of new jobs'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Anglesey Freeport has been given the green light in a move that will open up the island as a 'hub for global trade'. The UK and Welsh Governments have approved a Full Business Case (FBC) for the Holyhead-based project, enabling it to unlock £25m in government seed capital. The FBC gives details of how Anglesey Freeport plans to operate. It follows the approval of the Freeport's Outline Business Case earlier in the year, which designated the 'Anglesey Prosperity Zone' and the 'Central Anglesey Tax Sites'. A third tax site, called 'North Anglesey', is expected to be approved later this year. New businesses located within these sites will benefit from special tax reliefs. It's hoped this will attract inward investment – Anglesey Council believes 'exciting times' lie ahead for the island's economy. With both business cases given the go-ahead, all required approvals are now in place and so the Freeport will move to its 'delivery phase'. On the horizon is a planned technology park in Holyhead which is expected to create around 1,200 jobs and generate up to £578m for the local economy. Outline planning permission for this is due to be determined shortly. The technology park is earmarked for Prosperity Parc, the former Anglesey Aluminium site which sits within the ' Anglesey Prosperity Zone'. Its backers believe that if the park's potential is realised, it will generate the equivalent of a third of Anglesey's current economy. Anglesey Freeport, a partnership between Stena Line and Anglesey Council. Ian Davies, head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line, said FBC approval was a 'milestone' in the Freeport's development. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Mr Davies said: 'We will now deliver on the promise of the Freeport, which is to attract investment, protect the Welsh language and culture, create thousands of new jobs and boost economic growth across North Wales.' Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said the Freeport could 'supercharge' economic growth and high-quality jobs in North Wales. Dylan J Williams, Anglesey Council's chief executive, said FBC approval was a 'significant step forward' in delivering Anglesey Freeport. He said: 'Together with Stena Line, we have invested a considerable amount of time and effort into this transformational opportunity. 'There are, we hope, exciting times ahead as our partnership creates a solid foundation to deliver significant investment and long-term economic benefits for the island and North Wales. 'This investment will further help protect the Welsh language and maintain sustainable communities.' Anglesey Freeport was conceived as part of the the broader Freeport programme supported by the Welsh and UK Governments. The goal is to use tax incentives to stimulate global trade, innovation and investment, with an emphasis on low-carbon energy. This week the Anglesey Freeport team are at the Anglesey Show speaking with politicians, businesses and residents about its work and ambitions.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Anglesey special tax zone plan could 'create thousands of new jobs'
Anglesey Freeport has been given the green light in a move that will open up the island as a 'hub for global trade'. The UK and Welsh Governments have approved a Full Business Case (FBC) for the Holyhead -based project, enabling it to unlock £25m in government seed capital. The FBC gives details of how Anglesey Freeport plans to operate. It follows the approval of the Freeport's Outline Business Case earlier in the year, which designated the 'Anglesey Prosperity Zone' and the 'Central Anglesey Tax Sites'. A third tax site, called 'North Anglesey', is expected to be approved later this year. New businesses located within these sites will benefit from special tax reliefs. It's hoped this will attract inward investment – Anglesey Council believes 'exciting times' lie ahead for the island's economy. With both business cases given the go-ahead, all required approvals are now in place and so the Freeport will move to its 'delivery phase'. On the horizon is a planned technology park in Holyhead which is expected to create around 1,200 jobs and generate up to £578m for the local economy. Outline planning permission for this is due to be determined shortly. The technology park is earmarked for Prosperity Parc, the former Anglesey Aluminium site which sits within the ' Anglesey Prosperity Zone'. Its backers believe that if the park's potential is realised, it will generate the equivalent of a third of Anglesey's current economy. Anglesey Freeport, a partnership between Stena Line and Anglesey Council. Ian Davies, head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line, said FBC approval was a 'milestone' in the Freeport's development. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Mr Davies said: 'We will now deliver on the promise of the Freeport, which is to attract investment, protect the Welsh language and culture, create thousands of new jobs and boost economic growth across North Wales.' Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said the Freeport could 'supercharge' economic growth and high-quality jobs in North Wales. Dylan J Williams, Anglesey Council's chief executive, said FBC approval was a 'significant step forward' in delivering Anglesey Freeport. He said: 'Together with Stena Line, we have invested a considerable amount of time and effort into this transformational opportunity. 'There are, we hope, exciting times ahead as our partnership creates a solid foundation to deliver significant investment and long-term economic benefits for the island and North Wales. 'This investment will further help protect the Welsh language and maintain sustainable communities.' Anglesey Freeport was conceived as part of the the broader Freeport programme supported by the Welsh and UK Governments. The goal is to use tax incentives to stimulate global trade, innovation and investment, with an emphasis on low-carbon energy.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Anguish as Anglesey's 'best Christmas event' cancelled with six reasons given
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A popular Christmas festival on Anglesey has been cancelled this year. Organisers said the two-day Beaumaris Victorian Christmas (BVC) event has been hit by rising costs, falling revenue and capacity issues. Regular visitors were left bereft by the news, describing it as a festive highlight on Anglesey and among the island's best annual events. Some enthusiasts come from as far away as Manchester and a few had already booked accommodation for this year's festival. Previous outings have attracted up 4,000 people, some donning historical costumes, in the hope of getting a dose of traditional Christmas spirit. Sights and sounds include Victorian carriage rides and Queen Victoria parades, with hot chestnuts, mulled wine and toffee apples adding extra festive cheer. This year's event was scheduled for November 29-30. In an online statement, its organising committee announced 'with sadness' this year's festival would not now be taking place. Six reasons were given for the cancellation. These included Beaumaris' new one-way system, which will prevent the use of Rating Row for stallholders. This street was used for the event in the last two years and practical alternatives could not be found. Interior space was also harder to come by. A new community café in the David Hughes Centre has reduced the venue's capacity, while the town's Canolfan is already booked for the event weekend by The Druids Society. Road closures have become most expensive too. Anglesey Council is now stipulating the use of a professional signage company, adding up to £2,000 to cost, said BVC. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Richard Birch/North Wales Live) More controversially, organisers have blamed revenue falls on parking charges and access restrictions on The Green, a grassed area on the seafront. Although Beaumaris Victorian Christmas is a free event, donations on arrival are 'greatly appreciated' to help with running costs. At last year's event, bucket collections totalled just £312.67 over the two days. On social media, a BVC spokesperson said: 'This was as a result of our not being able to obtain free use of The Green – and the Beaumaris Town Council charging full rates for parking during the event weekend. 'At the 2023 event we were able to ask for a donation at the entrance to the car park which helped tremendously, with nearly everyone who entered making a donation.' To some extent, the organisers - all volunteers - have also become fed up with all the hassle. "The 2023 and 2024 events were besieged by issues and objections which added unnecessary stress and difficulties - which affected the planning and running of the event," they said. Alternative options are being discussed for the November 29-30 weekend but these are not yet confirmed. It's not yet known if the event will return next year. Apologising to the 'thousands of people' who support the much-loved festival, the BVC said that, in view of the various contributing factors, cancelling the event was a 'sensible decision'. The spokesperson added: 'Combining the above with the fact that the committee is run by a small group of volunteers, all of whom have businesses of their own, and who have limited free time to devote to the planning, let alone the physical running of the weekend, we feel that the sensible decision is to cancel the event rather than lose money and/or put on a sub-standard event.' A Holyhead man was devastated by the news. 'Terrible!' he said online. 'It's such a wonderful event and of all I've attended it's the best the island has to offer – it truly shows great community spirit at its heart." Echoing many, a woman said it was 'such a shame'. She added: 'I've come to see that weekend as the start of Christmas celebrations.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox See what's on in your area
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Anguish as Anglesey's 'best Christmas event' cancelled with six reasons given
A popular Christmas festival on Anglesey has been cancelled this year. Organisers said the two-day Beaumaris Victorian Christmas (BVC) event has been hit by rising costs, falling revenue and capacity issues. Regular visitors were left bereft by the news, describing it as a festive highlight on Anglesey and among the island's best annual events. Some enthusiasts come from as far away as Manchester and a few had already booked accommodation for this year's festival. Previous outings have attracted up 4,000 people, some donning historical costumes, in the hope of getting a dose of traditional Christmas spirit. Sights and sounds include Victorian carriage rides and Queen Victoria parades, with hot chestnuts, mulled wine and toffee apples adding extra festive cheer. This year's event was scheduled for November 29-30. In an online statement, its organising committee announced 'with sadness' this year's festival would not now be taking place. Six reasons were given for the cancellation. These included Beaumaris' new one-way system, which will prevent the use of Rating Row for stallholders. This street was used for the event in the last two years and practical alternatives could not be found. Interior space was also harder to come by. A new community café in the David Hughes Centre has reduced the venue's capacity, while the town's Canolfan is already booked for the event weekend by The Druids Society. Road closures have become most expensive too. Anglesey Council is now stipulating the use of a professional signage company, adding up to £2,000 to cost, said BVC. More controversially, organisers have blamed revenue falls on parking charges and access restrictions on The Green, a grassed area on the seafront. Although Beaumaris Victorian Christmas is a free event, donations on arrival are 'greatly appreciated' to help with running costs. At last year's event, bucket collections totalled just £312.67 over the two days. On social media, a BVC spokesperson said: 'This was as a result of our not being able to obtain free use of The Green – and the Beaumaris Town Council charging full rates for parking during the event weekend. 'At the 2023 event we were able to ask for a donation at the entrance to the car park which helped tremendously, with nearly everyone who entered making a donation.' To some extent, the organisers - all volunteers - have also become fed up with all the hassle. "The 2023 and 2024 events were besieged by issues and objections which added unnecessary stress and difficulties - which affected the planning and running of the event," they said. Alternative options are being discussed for the November 29-30 weekend but these are not yet confirmed. It's not yet known if the event will return next year. Apologising to the 'thousands of people' who support the much-loved festival, the BVC said that, in view of the various contributing factors, cancelling the event was a 'sensible decision'. The spokesperson added: 'Combining the above with the fact that the committee is run by a small group of volunteers, all of whom have businesses of their own, and who have limited free time to devote to the planning, let alone the physical running of the weekend, we feel that the sensible decision is to cancel the event rather than lose money and/or put on a sub-standard event.' A Holyhead man was devastated by the news. 'Terrible!' he said online. 'It's such a wonderful event and of all I've attended it's the best the island has to offer – it truly shows great community spirit at its heart."
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- North Wales Live
North Wales council issues warning over 'danger to life' alarm on millions of phones
An emergency alert drill next month has been described as 'one of the biggest public safety exercises' in UK history. At 3pm on Sunday, September 7, mobile phones and tablets on 4G and 5G networks will vibrate and emit a loud siren sound for up to 10 seconds – even if they're set to silent. The UK government is testing its Emergency Alerts system, which is designed to warn people of disasters like storms or wildfires. Anglesey Council has issued a heads-up about the exercise, saying people can opt out if they want. But the local authority warned: 'You should keep them switched on for your own safety.' The government has previously used the 'danger to life' system in real-life scenarios. Last December an alert was issued to 3.5m people across Wales and south-west England during Storm Darragh. This was followed by another in January to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about the arrival of Storm Eowyn. The system was first tested on a nationwide basis in April 2023. The first time it was triggered for real was in February 2024 when a 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb was found in a back garden in Plymouth. Now the system is to be tested nationally for a second time. 'This test will be one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation's history,' cabinet minister Pat McFadden said. 'From major storms to wildfires, this system could save your life in an emergency. Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.' As well as to vibrations and emitting a loud noise, mobile phone users will receive a message. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.' Online, some people have vowed to head to crowded places, like pubs, for the drill – to see how crowds react when their phones all go off together. 'Should be entertaining!' said one man on social media. Anglesey Council added: 'Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit for advice on how you can prepare.' For more information or to view the emergency message in Welsh, visit
