Latest news with #Swansea-based
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Ospreys boss responds to politicians' St Helen's concerns and admits 'surprise' at reaction
Ospreys boss responds to politicians' St Helen's concerns and admits 'surprise' at reaction The Ospreys boss spoke out after west Wales politicians raised concerns over the redevelopment of St Helen's Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley (Image: L Churchouse) Ospreys chief Lance Bradley admits the Welsh club were "quite surprised" by concerns raised by Carmarthenshire politicians over the redevelopment of St Helen's. Tuesday brought the positive news that the Swansea-based region had been granted planning permission for work to start at the famous old ground on the city's seafront. The Ospreys will be leaving their old home at the Stadium and forging a new future at St Helen's, with the hope of moving in by the end of the year. But on Wednesday Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies, along with Member of the Senedd Cefin Campbell and Labour MP Nia Griffith, spoke of their concerns over the impact it could have on the game further west on rivals the Scarlets. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. They have asked for the Welsh government to step in on the matter and call it in, while the Scarlets Supporters' Trust also raised their own objection. Mr Campbell told Radio Wales: "What I'm asking is whether we need two stadiums within six or seven miles of each other when there is a good stadium in Llanelli already. "I have no problem, if that's the way the Welsh Rugby Union want to go, to merge the Ospreys and the Scarlets and that's been mooted many times in the past and if that's the direction of travel then we would be more than happy to see first-class rugby played in Parc y Scarlets but my fear is by developing this new stadium in Swansea that Parc y Scarlets and rugby in Carmarthenshire and further west in Wales will become dormant." Article continues below Bradley offered a confident response, dismissing the concerns raised by Mr Campbell and stressed the benefits that a made-over St Helen's would have not just for rugby but for the wider community in the city. "I'm flattered that he should think that we should have such a huge impact on our friends in Llanelli," Bradley began. "The fact is St Helen's isn't a new stadium, St Helen's is actually a very old stadium where Wales played their first international game, and we're very conscious of the fact that when we move there it's the redevelopment of an iconic ground, it isn't something new, and we will be fully respecting the heritage of the place and the history of the place to provide a top-class facility not just for the Ospreys but for Swansea RFC, Swansea University and a big part of the plans and something Swansea Council were very keen on is the community use as well. "So I can't see it will have an impact on Parc y Scarlets." Bradley also dismissed suggestions that the Ospreys had been "tipped a wink" by the WRU amid the impending consultation process which could see the number of professional clubs in Wales cut, adding he was "a bit surprised" by the timing of the objections. He said: "We haven't been tipped a wink at all. There is a process going on with the WRU that all the clubs are involved in and as far as I'm aware we've all had the same amount of information, the same opportunities to input what we think, so that's certainly not the case. "Were we surprised? Yes, we were a bit surprised because this isn't something that suddenly got announced yesterday, this is something we announced we were planning over a year ago. "So it was slightly surprising that some of the MPs and Senedd members from Carmarthenshire should wait until now to raise a concern. But that's their right to do that if that's what they want to do." Despite the reaction, Bradley maintained there were no second thoughts whatsoever over the move and that his focus was on the positivity he has seen from the club, supporters and wider community to the news. Article continues below "Not at all because the reaction you are talking about is from three people from Carmarthenshire, our primary concern is Ospreys and the reaction from Ospreys fans and from our staff and players as well and Swansea Council and indeed from most of the Swansea public is overwhelmingly positive and that's what we are focusing on," he added.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Mrs Buckét earns contract for Monmouthshire Building Society
Swansea-based Mrs Buckét will now provide cleaning services at Monmouthshire Building Society locations across south Wales including Newport, Risca, Cwmbran, Chepstow, Monmouth, and Caldicot. The agreement has resulted in new job opportunities and additional hours for existing employees. Rachael Flanagan, CEO and founder of Mrs Buckét, said: "It is great to be working with Monmouthshire Building Society as it is a business that shares the same values as we do – working with and giving back to the communities in which we work. "It is also great to be supported by this contract win by another successful Welsh business such as Monmouthshire Building Society – it has such a rich heritage in Wales. "We look forward to working with the team closely in the coming months." The contract also includes the transfer of two of the building society's cleaning staff to Mrs Buckét under TUPE regulations, ensuring job security for the affected employees. Mark Howell, facilities manager at Monmouthshire Building Society, said: "We are all about supporting Welsh businesses and Mrs Buckét is the perfect example of what an entrepreneur with a vision and hard work ethic can achieve. "We have been really impressed with the time and effort that the team has put into researching our needs as a business and ensuring that some of our housekeeping staff remain in post. "Mrs Buckét's work in the community is also impressive and we look forward to forging social value partnerships with Mrs Buckét in the future." This marks the second recent contract win in the financial sector for Mrs Buckét. The company was also recently appointed to clean a financial office in Cardiff. Monmouthshire Building Society's headquarters in Newport will also be serviced as part of the agreement.
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Mrs Buckét Secures Major Cleaning Contract with Monmouthshire Building Society
Award-winning commercial cleaning company Mrs Buckét has been awarded the contract to clean most branches of Monmouthshire Building Society. The contract creates new jobs for the Swansea-based commercial cleaning company, as well as additional hours for some of its current staff. It has also of TUPE'd (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)) two members of the Building Society's current cleaning staff, protecting their jobs and allowing them to join the Mrs Buckét workforce. Mrs Buckét will be cleaning Monmouthshire Building Society's 11 branches and agency offices at Brecon, Risca, Cardiff Queen Street, Handpost Newport, Caerleon Road Newport, John Frost Square Newport, Swansea, Cwmbran, Chepstow, Monmouth and Caldicot. This is the second financial services contract that Mrs Buckét has won in recent months, as it has also been appointed to clean a financial office in Cardiff. Rachael Flanagan, Mrs Buckét's CEO and founder, said: 'It is great to be working with Monmouthshire Building Society as it is a business that shares the same values as we do – working with and giving back to the communities in which we work. 'It is also great to be supported by this contract win by another successful Welsh business such as Monmouthshire Building Society – it has such a rich heritage in Wales. We look forward to working with the team closely in the coming months.' Mark Howell, Facilities Manager at Monmouthshire Building Society, said: 'We are all about supporting Welsh businesses and Mrs Buckét is the perfect example of what an entrepreneur with a vision and hard work ethic can achieve. 'We have been really impressed with the time and effort that the team has put into researching our needs as a business and ensuring that some of our housekeeping staff remain in post. Mrs Buckét's work in the community is also impressive and we look forward to forging social value partnerships with Mrs Buckét in the future.'
Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Nationwide making 'bold' change to bank accounts which comes into force today
Nationwide has announced mortgage rate cuts from tomorrow of up to 0.21 per cent for those buying a home or looking to remortgage. It could A "bold" shake-up in Nationwide's mortgage offerings has taken effect. The building society has declared reductions in mortgage rates slashing up to 0.21 per cent for homebuyers and those looking to remortgage. A broker highlighted that Nationwide "is clearly positioning itself to capture market share ahead of a potential Bank of England base rate cut" next week, while a conveyancer noted "the property market needed an injection of life and this could prove to be it". Nationwide's senior manager – mortgages, Carlo Pileggi, said: "As the country's second largest lender, we always strive to support all parts of the market with competitive rates." It comes after a major broadband provider introduced a new £60 charge and issued a deadline to act. This latest round of cuts across our range move even more of our rates below four per cent and should put Nationwide front of mind of first-time buyers, those moving on to their next home and those looking for a new mortgage deal." Shaun Sturgess, director at Swansea-based Sturgess Mortgage Solutions, told Birmingham Live: "Nationwide's decision to cut rates by up to 0.21% is a bold but calculated move. "While other lenders like Barclays are increasing rates, Nationwide is clearly positioning itself to capture market share ahead of a potential Bank of England base rate cut. "With affordability slowly improving-especially thanks to recent lending rule changes-these lower rates give buyers and remortgagers a real chance to act. "For many, this is the first window of opportunity in over two years to secure a competitive fixed rate below 4%. But timing is crucial-products are changing daily. "As brokers, we're monitoring this constantly to help clients secure the right deal, not just the cheapest rate. Nationwide's move isn't odd-it's a sign of growing confidence and smart competition." Meanwhile, Chris Barry, director at Thomas Legal, said: "Nationwide's deep cut could be the spark needed to light the dormant kindling that is the UK buyer right now. Stock has been building but the complete absence of buyers in recent weeks has meant many in the industry have been running around like busy fools. The property market needed an injection of life and this could prove to be it." Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, said: "This is a somewhat surprising move from Nationwide, given that both Santander and Barclays have announced a mixed bag of rate changes in the last few days. "Either way, it will be welcomed by those moving home and looking to remortgage. It's interesting to see that rates are somewhat higher for First Time Buyers compared to equivalent Home Movers, and in particular, those using the Helping Hands scheme will see no benefit from the announcement today. "With other lenders now offering a similar option to those First Time Buyers, Nationwide needs to watch how attractive this scheme is to new borrowers."
Business News Wales
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Accountancy Business Buys Llanelli Firm with Development Bank of Wales Support
A Swansea-based accountancy firm has taken on a Llanelli counterpart following a six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Unity Accountancy bought TA Llanelli supported by a £280,000 loan from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund. The deal allows former TA Llanelli owner Roger Bowen to pursue other business interests, while bringing seven members of staff and a local client base of more than 700 businesses under Unity's management. Unity was launched by digital accounting expert Cerith Williams and co-director Ben Ruddle in January 2023. It uses AI technology and cloud-based accounting software to provide business customers long-term financial and tax advice based on real-time data. By automating traditional processes, Unity can focus on value-added service for its customers, along with identifying trends and guiding financial planning using live intelligence. Cerith and Ben hope TA Llanelli, which was established in 2004 and formerly operated under the Taxassist franchise, will be the first of many business acquisitions for Unity, and look forward to using their data-driven approach to advise TA Llanelli's longstanding customers. They plan to make their next acquisition before the end of the calendar year. Cerith said: 'We've been ahead of that trend in the sector which has seen more and more accountants provide pro-active business advisory services for their clients, rather than reactive, end-of-year audits. It's not just that we've adopted that approach, but that we've got the technology and the know-how needed to use it. 'Taking on TA Llanelli as our first acquisition was an obvious growth step for us. We've always planned on growing through acquisition, but their strong local networks and experienced team made them the ideal choice. We're really grateful for the support we've had from the Development Bank of Wales to complete the buyout.' Sally Phillips, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: 'Bringing together Unity's expertise with TA Llanelli's extensive client base will mean SME customers in this part of south-west Wales will have access to high-end, data-driven intelligence, which will support business growth in the area in turn. 'We're glad to have brought these two leading financial services together, and look forward to Unity's further growth as they take on future acquisitions.' Financed by Welsh Government, the Wales Flexible Investment Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years. For more information, visit the Development Bank of Wales website.
