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Local pottery artist sees business success in pop-up unit at Maesteg Market

Mudwerx Bespoke Pottery, based in Pyle, is a creative business rooted in the therapeutic power of clay. During their stay, Mudwerx run a variety of community-based workshops and classes, alongside fulfilling bespoke commission pieces for local as well as national customers.

The interactive workshops included clay throwing, pottery painting, and live demonstrations of the pottery wheel, which was attended by adults and children of all experiences.

Drew Richards, founder of Mudwerx, said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Bridgend Council for the fantastic opportunity to be part of the pop-up shop initiative. The support I’ve received throughout my occupancy has been second to none. As a small business still finding its feet, having the chance to showcase my work and run workshops in a dedicated space has allowed me to raise awareness of Mudwerx, increase my confidence in running a business and to reach new audiences.”

“The experience has been truly inspiring. I’ve met so many wonderful people – from customers and fellow traders to new friends and future collaborators. It’s been a real confidence boost and a huge step forward after years of working from my garden studio.” Drew continued.

“Being given the chance to run my own shop, even for a limited time, has meant the world to me. I’m proud to have been part of such a supportive and creative initiative, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

Councillor Neelo Farr, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said, “The pop-up unit in Maesteg Market has already seen some wonderful businesses in the space so far and I am delighted that Drew has had such a positive reception. This opportunity is perfect for those who are looking to test a business idea in a shop setting. I would greatly encourage businesses to submit interest in the space; it is a fantastic place to showcase.”

The next business to host the pop-up unit will be ‘Entwined Together Crafts by Pip’, a craft business based in Llangynwyd and will be in the unit until Sunday 2nd July.

Plans for new M4 service station submitted to Bridgend planners

The development would be just to the south of the junction 37 interchange, alongside the A4229.

The proposed drive-through restaurants could include a McDonald’s, Greggs and a Starbucks or Costa, along with seating areas and toilet facilities. These would be in three separate buildings rather than the more integrated services stations seen on other parts of the motorway network.

The development would be accessed by a new road off the A4229.

With regards the proposed new petrol station, planning documents say that “notwithstanding government policy to phase out the sale of new petrol/diesel cars by 2030, there will continue to be demand, albeit reducing, for petrol/diesel sales for a further 15 years or so after that.”

“To cater for future changes, the PFS will have a large number of electric charging stations from the outset, and there is currently a significant under-provision off these along this stretch of the M4.

“The operator also envisages increasing the number of charging points as electric cars become more popular, and in turn reducing the number of petrol pumps, in line with the take up of electric private vehicles by the public.

“Depending on future developments in HGV propulsion, provision for hydrogen tanks to replace diesel in the medium to long term is also feasible.”

Draycott Group, who are behind the plans, recently completed a similar development in St Clears off the A40 trunk road between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The St Clears development was initially refused by Carmarthenshire planners, but granted on appeal by Welsh Government planning inspectors.

Initial pre-application discussions with Bridgend County Borough Council on the proposed Pyle development were “negative” according to the latest submission, but the developer pointed out that all of the same arguments that the planning inspector gave for approving the St Clears scheme would also apply to Pyle.

The developers say they are willing to construct a car-sharing or park and ride facility at Junction 37 if the council is willing to run it.

Planning documents say: “During the course of the previous discussions, the developer, in response to comments as to J37 being a car-sharing location, indicated a preparedness to include land either as a car-sharing facility or P&R.

“Moreover, the developer would be prepared to fund/develop such a facility, on the basis that it would then be leased to the Council to operate. It is understood that the proposed P&R facility at Pyle has failed to attract funding, although it remains an objective for the Council.

“Should the Council not be interested in promoting such a facility at this site, or does not feel that it could be successfully operated, then the developer would not propose pursuing the matter alone.”

The proposals will now be decided by Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning department.

Major roadworks on M4 near Pyle will last 6 months

Work on the five bridge structures will start on Monday 9 June.

Welsh Government are responsible for maintaining the M4 in Wales rather than local councils.

It says the motorway will generally remain open with two out of the three running lanes operational in both directions for the duration of the works.

The Welsh Government say that when full closures are required, they will be limited to overnight only and will be well-signposted in advance. Temporary speed limits will also be implemented to ensure driver and worker safety.

To set up a contraflow system, the M4 will be closed overnight westbound between J37 Pyle and J39 Groes between 8pm on Monday 9 June and 6am on Tuesday 10 June.

There will be a further overnight closures in both directions between 8pm on Tuesday 10 June and 6am on Wednesday 11 June – and again overnight from 8pm on Wednesday 11 June to 6am on Thursday 12 June.

There will be an overnight closure for westbound traffic for 1 night on the M4 between J37 Pyle to J39 Groes from 8pm on Thursday 12 June until 6am Friday 13 June.

Then an overnight closure eastbound for 2 nights this time between J38 Margam to J37 Pyle from 8pm on Friday 13 June to 6am on Saturday 14 June – and again from 8pm on Saturday 14 June until 6am on Sunday 15 June.

Diverted traffic will be directed to use the A4229 and A48 through Pyle.

From Sunday 15 June until Wednesday 16 July there will be central reservation works, with traffic flow reduced from three lanes to two lanes in each direction. A 50mph speed limit will be in place during this time for safety.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “Fixing and maintaining our roads and making them more resilient is a priority for us. I understand the works will cause disruption and I’d like to thank motorists for their patience whilst the work is taking place, however it is important it is carried out during periods of drier and warmer weather to ensure it can be done effectively.” 

#M4#motoring#Pyle

Bridgend-based environmental management specialist to expand its services with £350,000 funding boost

The firm, which has been in business for more than 20 years, offers a range of services to different industries including flood protection, pollution control and contaminated land treatment as well as dealing with on-land oil spills.

Operating from Village Farm Industrial Estate in Pyle, Bridgend, the business also has a second premises in Exeter and thanks to the funding is soon to be opening a third in the Midlands, creating new positions in many areas of company operations.

Throughout its history, GEO Pollution Technologies has built up a prestigious roster of clients, including the National Grid, Southern Electric Power Distribution Plc (SSE), Celsa Steel Service and National Trust, as well as working with industry leaders in the UK aerospace, defence, and security sectors.

The team works closely with customers to ensure that effective environmental management processes are in place for business and local communities.

The business is also an accredited UK Spill emergency responder for land-based, freshwater and groundwater spills, plus contaminated soils, with specially trained staff on call 24 hours a day throughout the year.

NatWest says that this latest funding deal comes as part of the bank’s commitment to supporting regional growth throughout Wales. The facility will enable the firm to drive business growth, including expanding its headcount, having already boosted its ranks in recent years, as turnover grows.

NatWest added that as one of the UK’s biggest banks for small businesses, it works collaboratively with customers to understand their needs and help them find solutions to support their businesses as they grow.

David Welsh, Finance Manager at GEO Pollution Technologies (UK), said: “We’re thrilled to have secured this latest deal with NatWest, which will play a key role in the pursuit of our ambitious growth plans by helping to increase our headcount and serve more customers with the evolving environmental challenges they face.

“NatWest has already proved it really understands our business, its ethos, and its ambitions and we’re keen to continue to develop that relationship and in doing so, make an even greater positive impact on the environment.”

Andrew Tummon, Business Development Manager at NatWest in Cardiff/South West, said: “Enabling regional growth and supporting sustainable business practices are part of our purpose of turning possibilities into progress, so we’re very pleased to have completed this deal for GEO Pollution Technologies (UK) helping to expand the scale of its environmental protection business.

“David and the team at GEO Pollution Technologies have a strong focus on long-term success which aligns really well with our values here. We’ll continue to support them with our sector expertise and we’re looking forward to seeing their future successes”.

Budget supermarket reveals not so Lidl expansion plans

Lidl GB has announced plans to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion, as the discounter moves forward with plans to open more than 40 new stores across the country this financial year.

In addition to the store openings, Lidl has also published a list of locations it wants to open new stores – including high streets, retail parks, and mixed-use town centre sites. This includes more than a dozen stores in South West Wales.

There are also places where the budget supermarket wants to relocate several existing stores to provide a larger building.

Lidl currently has 980 stores across the UK and employs over 34,000 people.

Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, said: “This level of investment is a clear sign of our ambition. As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain and hurtle towards a thousand stores, there are still so many parts of the country crying out for convenient access to a Lidl store. That’s why we welcome the measures proposed in the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill – they recognise the urgent need to remove barriers to development and support the kind of growth we at Lidl are working towards.”

“Our latest site requirements brochure reinforces the scale of our ambition for the future. New Lidl stores mean new jobs, new opportunities for British suppliers, and continued investment into local economies. We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing supermarkets in the country, and with this investment, we’re taking another big step in our journey.”

All the places in South West Wales Lidl wants to open new stores

The places in South and Mid Wales Lidl wants to open new stores
(Image: Lidl)The existing stores in South and Mid Wales Lidl wants to relocate
(Image: Lidl)

Swansea

Lidl has announced 3 locations in Swansea where it wants to open new stores in Morfa, Killay or Sketty and Mumbles. It has also said it wants to relocate its existing Penlan store.

Neath Port Talbot

The budget supermarket has said that it wants to open a new store in Port Talbot – East or Margam.

Carmarthenshire

Lidl wants to open new stores in two locations in Carmarthenshire. One in Burry Port and another to the North of Llanelli.

Pembrokeshire

The supermarket has revealed ambitions to open a one new store in Pembrokeshire, somewhere in Tenby. It also wants to relocate its existing Pembroke Dock store.

Bridgend County

There are four locations Lidl has aspirations to open new stores in Bridgend County, in Bridgend Town, Bridgend – East or Pencoed, Maesteg and Pyle.

South Powys

Lidl has said they’d like to open a new store in Ystradgynlais.

Former National Economic Council director #Brian #Deese is advising Vice President Kamala Harris on #economic #policy.

Deese is a former director of President Joe Biden’s National Economic Council and a fellow at MIT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research.

Harris has said she plans to release her brand new presidential campaign’s first formal platform
— focused on lifting up the middle class
— in the coming days.

As Harris and her team have been putting together the policy plan, Deese has been a key advisor and sounding board for Harris, said the people, who were granted anonymity in order to discuss internal campaign operations.

Harris is also working with #Mike #Pyle, a former deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics in the Biden White House, these people said.

cnbc.com/2024/08/12/harris-eco