A new World Heritage Site for Wales

The slate landscape of north-west Wales has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the fourth World Heritage Site in Wales. The new World Heritage Site is a serial property in six parts including spectacular quarry landscapes such as Penrhyn, Dinorwig, the Nantlle Valley and Ffestiniog. It also includes the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, Penrhyn Castle and the famous Ffestiniog and Talyllyn Railways, built to transport the slate from quarry to markets around the world and both later transformed through the dedication of volunteers into heritage railways. Full details of the new World Heritage Site can be viewed on its dedicated website: Wales Slate: World Heritage […]

COVID-19 Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) Business Support

APPLICATIONS FOR THE ERF WITH A TURNOVER OF LESS THAN £85K OPENS AT 12 NOON TODAYTHE SCHEME WILL CLOSE AT MIDDAY ON MONDAY 9TH AUGUST. The Welsh Government has announced further emergency support until 31 August 2021 for businesses that remain closed or severely impacted by restrictions shown via a greater than 60% impact on turnover compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent. The grants will help meet operating costs (excluding staff wages) for the period 1 July 2021 to 31 August 2021. The ERF will support businesses that are either: Forced to remain closed or unable to trade by on-going restrictions between 1st July 2021 and 31st […]

Coronavirus impact on hospitality

ONS has published research on the impact of coronavirus on the hospitality sector from January 2020 to the end of May 2021. Some of the key findings from the study are: The sector has been one of the hardest hit with spending still 30% downThere is significant variation within the sector (bars and clubs have been significantly impacted while campsites have fared relatively well)The number of employees remains 11% below Feb 2020 levels590,000 employees remained on furloughed at the end of May 2021Only 14% of pubs and bars and only 15% of licensed restaurants reported that they had “high” confidence that they would survive the next three months. This compares […]

A new ticketing system is set to be launched to make bus travel easier in North Wales

From Saturday (July 17) one ticket will be valid on buses all across the region. Once passengers have bought their “1bws” ticket from the driver on their first journey of the day, the ticket will then be valid for travel on buses throughout the area. An adult ticket will cost £5.70, a child (or young person with a My Travel Pass) will pay £3.70 and holders of English and Scottish concessionary bus passes will also pay £3.70. A family ticket is available for just £12. One ticket, for all day, valid on North Wales busses in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham—and on buses from North Wales to […]

“Next steps towards a future with fewer covid rules” – First Minister

Wales will move fully into alert level one from 17 July. And there will be further changes to the rules outdoors as Wales takes the first careful step towards a new alert level zero. Alert level zero is set out in an updated Coronavirus Control Plan, which is published today. If the public health situation allows, Wales will move to this level on 7 August. https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-alert-level-0-zero coronavirus-control-plan-alert-level-zero-0Download From 17 July, Wales will move fully to alert level one, including: Up to six people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation.Organised indoor events can take place for up to 1,000 seated and up to 200 standing.Ice rinks can reopen. […]

Steps to Sustainability – Heritage Fund Programme

Heritage organisations across the UK are under increasing pressure and financial constraints, with many facing extreme challenges to ensure a stable future. With the additional impact of Covid-19, a culture of enterprise to build a sustainable and resilient heritage sector is needed now more than ever. Steps to Sustainability, a new National Lottery Heritage Fund programme delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, will provide a pathway of support to address these challenges. It will help your organisation to be ambitious, forward-thinking and deliver exciting new projects. Who should apply? Small to medium heritage organisations based in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and those who: Have an income-generating idea that is […]

Economic Resilience Fund (ERF): July/August support open for businesses with a turnover of £85k+

Businesses with a pre-COVID turnover of £85,000+, directly impacted by the restrictions in place during July and August 2021, can apply to the Economic Resilience Fund for financial assistance to help meet their operating costs (excluding staff wages). The fund will open today, 13 July 2021 until 12:00pm 27 July 2021. You can check your eligibility by going to: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/businesssupport/ Local Authorities across Wales will open applications for those businesses that are eligible WITH A TURNOVER OF LESS THAN £85K on the 26 July 2021. This grant application will remain open until 9 August 2021.

The Agricultural Shows Innovation Fund

Agricultural Societies and Shows have a long and prestigious history and are at the centre of rural communities in Wales. Each one has an important role in promoting sustainable farming and food production to the wider public and in supporting community cohesion, our culture, and the wellness agenda. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most, if not all, agricultural shows across Wales were cancelled in 2020 and a large number will be cancelled in 2021.  It is important that agricultural show Societies can return to a position of some normality following the pandemic which includes the reintroduction of agricultural shows across Wales.  The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) is […]

Details on the fifth Self Employed Income Support Scheme announced

Businesses eligible for the fifth grant of the SEISS based on their tax returns will be contacted by HMRC from mid-July to give a date that the claims service will be available from. It will be given either by email, letter or within the online service. The online service to claim the fifth grant will be available from late July 2021 and the claim must be made on or before 30 September 2021. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme