Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

  TRIBUTES have been paid to the man whose name was synonymous with shopping and business in Llanelli, Mr TH Gilmore (Gil) Jones. Universally known throughout the town as Gil or Gilmore, he died on Sunday, October 20, aged 82. Gilmore won the Llanelli Star’s Community Champion award in 2010 – an honour which reflected his busy life in retail in the town and his wider interests in supporting community life. Gilmore was President of Llanelli Chamber of Trade and Commerce between 2006 and 2009 and played a key role in supporting the Special Olympics Carmarthenshire club and his award-winning daughter Llinos. His good friend Andrew Stephens, who succeeded Gilmore as manager of the St Elli Shopping Centre in 2014, said: “To say he will be missed is an understatement as Gilmore was part of the fabric of community life in Llanelli.” Andrew, who is now a Llanelli Rural councillor, added: “Gilmore wore his heart on his sleeve and was 100 per cent committed to Llanelli and the people of the ...

A Digilab initiative is being launched in Carmarthen next week aimed at helping local businesses. Carmarthenshire County Council is running the event which demonstrates new digital resources for businesses, in line with the Digital High Street 2020 Report ’s findings. It will be held at Yr Atom at 16-18 King St on April 27 from 8am-10am. Breakfast will be provided The Digilab will feature: Free digital and business development resources for business and the “Digital Health Check”. Demonstration and hands on activity with new digital equipment and software. Links to business support resources and networking opportunities. The launch event will be facilitated by Carmarthenshire’s Digital Coordinator and Superfast Broadband Wales. A series of Digilab events is being planned across Carmarthenshire over the next 12 months. Book here Link - Digilab

Hundreds of businesses in the construction industry attended an event at Llanelli’s Parc Y Scarlets to find out about the major opportunities available to them. More than 300 delegates from across the region went along to find out more about various forthcoming projects that they could be a part of. More than £132 million worth of projects have been awarded amongst the 23 contractors on the Framework since February 2016, with a further £188 million worth of projects in the pipeline. The Contractors Framework is used for the delivery of construction and associated services across the Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot council areas. Carmarthenshire County Council leads the Framework on behalf of the partner authorities. The event brought the Framework contractors, potential sub-contractors and supporting organisations together, allowing them to network and discuss future business opportunities. The morning session showcased a variety of trade exh...

Businesses are being offered the opportunity to move into a hi-tech facility in a prime location. The Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen has now been bought by Carmarthenshire County Council to help provide more opportunities for businesses. The Beacon, originally built by the Welsh Government as a technium centre in 2007, has been managed by the council since 2011, when it had just three tenants. Since then, the council has attracted a number of private sector businesses to the building and the lettable floor space of just under 12,500 sq. ft. is almost fully occupied. Resources executive board member Cllr David Jenkins said: “This success provided the council with the confidence to purchase the building to be able to further enhance its offering to the economy of Carmarthenshire, particularly in supporting younger businesses, growth sectors and strengthening links with the private sector. “The council has been able to offer flexible lease terms to allow companies to grow or move...

Two new businesses have opened in Llanelli Market. Maureen’s Floral Designs provides fresh and artificial arrangements for all occasions, from wedding button holes to grave pots, funeral tributes and wreaths. There is also a selection of homemade baby and children’s clothing. Owned by Maureen Harries from Llanelli, the stall is already attracting customers from as far afield as Abergavenny, Aberystwyth and Neath. Maureen, who has been running the business on a more casual basis, including at the outdoor market and in the Elli Centre for the last eight years, said: “Having a stall in the indoor market is a big commitment but it’s going very well. “Due to having a small workspace here, in most cases customer orders can be completed by the following day.” Verve Cafe on Cowell Street, is a mother and daughter business partnership. Kathryn Williams said it was her 18-year-old daughter Angharad Davies’ idea. She added: “Angharad wanted to open up a milkshake bar so we’ve combined the spe...

Four primary schools will be battling it out today (Friday, July 3) in a bid to win a business competition. Ysgol Betws, Ysgol y Bedol, Ysgol Gymraeg Teilo Sant and Ysgol Bro Banw are taking part in the Carmarthenshire Young Traders competition, which has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council. The aim of the competition is for teams of up to 5 pupils from Years 5 & 6 to come up with a business idea, market it and sell their product. All four schools will be trading against each other in pitches in Ammanford Outdoor Market on Friday from 10am-2pm. The winner is the school which makes the most money on the day. They will receive a trophy during a presentation ceremony at 2.30pm. Each of the teams has been given £100 kindly donated by Ammanford Town Council and the Ammanford ‘On Track’ Partnership Group. Each school will get to keep any money made during the day. Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member with responsibility for the markets, Cllr David Jenkin...

A little known but hard working group of small businesses is celebrating its 21st anniversary. The Carmarthenshire Farm and County Holidays Group was formed in 1994 as a self-help group, to promote their individual businesses and support each other with marketing and advice. Their members offer a range of facilities including bed and breakfast, self catering cottages as well as camping and caravanning. The 20 group members are the most active of their kind in Wales. They recently published a collection of recipes called “Carmarthenshire Farmhouse Fayre” which rapidly sold out and is now only available in electronic format on the group’s website www.carmarthenshirefarms.com . The group will be at the Royal Welsh Show again this year and last year gave cookery demonstrations at Llanelli’s National Eisteddfod. Group chair Sharon Richards, from Abergwili, said the group prided themselves on the use and promotion of the best of local produce wherever possible, giving advice to visitors on...

By David Butler, director of Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants, Lammas Street, Carmarthen It was Bob Dylan who sang ‘The Times They Are a Changin’, way back in the 1960s. Well, they certainly are: Next month sees massive changes to the way we handle our pensions The countdown is on to a May 7 General Election. And inflation is at a record breaking low - 0.5 percent, the joint-lowest since the Consumer Prices Index began in 1989. This month, our focus will be on pensions – as it is pretty near the top of the agenda when it comes to the questions accountants get asked. From April 6, you'll have more freedom over how you take money from your pension pot. These changes affect you if: you're 55 or over, and  have a pension based on how much has been paid into your pot (a ‘defined contribution’ pension).  Changes from April 6 are for new pensions drawn out. You can still draw up to 25% of the fund tax free, but then any further amounts, which can ...

There's a big shout out this week to tourism businesses in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire Tourism Association wants to help build stronger links with local tourism business operators through Tourism Business Support Roadshows. Nia Ball, Chief Executive Carmarthenshire Tourism Association, explained: Those involved in running hotels, bed & breakfasts, holiday cottages, places to eat etc are best placed to recommend that their guests and customers come to you, acting as ambassadors for your business. And so, any opportunities to meet and chat informally with these tourism trade representatives is a positive one, allowing you to share information, updates and news about what you offer to visitors to our county - and giving your industry colleagues the details they need to pass on, and to recommend and promote you… About the Tourism Business Support Roadshows We’re holding our informal ‘roadshows’ as a chance for tourism business operators to call in and chat with members...

Several businesses in Laugharne have received a facelift with the help of an RDP Sir Gâr  Commercial Property Enhancement Grant . Choices Gift Shop, Castle View Restaurant on the Grist, and the newly opened Ferryman Delicatessen on King Street, have all benefited through the scheme run by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Physical Regeneration department. Grants of up to £15,000 were available to eligible businesses to renovate the facade of their premises in the centre of Laugharne ensuring their continued use. This was funded by the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007 – 2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development. Council project officer Grant Cole said: “The work carried out has really improved the look of the buildings and we hope it will help to bring more visitors to the area. “Between the businesses assisted, the grant has safeguarded five full-time and four part-time jobs, and it is hoped it will create a fu...

The price of petrol will be dropping to just 105.7p per litre tomorrow, as supermarket chain Asda cuts fuel costs across the country. Asda's decision to introduce a national price cap at the pumps means that 105.7ppl is the highest any of its 245 filling stations will charge for unleaded petrol, while diesel will be capped at 112.7ppl. Fuel prices have been cut by 19ppl for unleaded petrol and 15ppl for diesel at Asda fuelling stations since the end of September. The prices to be introduced tomorrow will be the lowest seen in five years. West Wales business have reacted as follows - Simon Buckley, chief executive of the award-winning Llandeilo-based Evan Evans brewery said – "The brewing industry is always affected by the feel good factor, whether it's people going to the pub, or simply buying beer for consumption at home. Fuel prices are always a drain on consumer spending, so my view is every little helps, now all we need to go with this is dry late winter weather and 2...

Three new businesses have started trading in Carmarthen Market. Rone’s Jewellery Repair Specialists can be found behind the Clock Tower and Big Rasta Nation and Cowin Lush Cakes have opened up inside the market hall. This brings the total to 6 new traders opening in the market in recent months. Rone’s Jewellery Repair Specialists offer services including ring sizing, ring repairs, chain repairs, supply of precious gemstones, remodelling of current jewellery, bespoke design service and cleaning and rhodium services. The independent family business is run by Caroline and Jonathan Rone. Caroline said: “Jonathan previously worked in Burgess Jewellers in Carmarthen for 30-years. Things are going really well here in the market at the moment.” Big Rasta Nation sells Caribbean crafts, mens, ladies and childrenswear, jewellery and over-18 goods. Trader Emerson Ray has been trading in the outdoor market on Wednesdays and Saturdays for a year. He is currently trading in the both the indoor an...

Leading councillors in Carmarthenshire are encouraging businesses in Ammanford town centre to take advantage of a £50,000 cash boost. The funding is coming from the Welsh Government as part of the Support Your High Street  campaign, which aims to encourage more people to shop in their local town centre. Recently, the successful Twrch Trwyth festival was held in Ammanford as part of the campaign. The funding has now been awarded to a number of towns across Wales, and will pay for things such as town centre events, branding, promotions, website, signage, footfall counters and digital media training for retailers. Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “We would urge all shops and businesses in Ammanford town centre to take advantage of the opportunities this funding will provide. “Our executive board members and our officers have worked closely with the Welsh Government on initiatives such as this which support our town centres. “We very much welcome this fund...

Ammanford traders are giving the Gwyl y Twrch Trwyth Festival a colourful welcome to the town centre. The Festival and the Support your Local High Street Initiative is providing a shop window for what traders have to offer and they have decorated their shop windows to promote the festival, too. The displays follow a boar theme linked to the produce sold at each shop. Among the businesses that have decorated their shop windows is the ismooth cafe in College Street where one of the two boars in the window is good enough to eat! Erika Beynon of ismooth said: “We decided to make a boar out of cake which we have cooked and decorated and put in our window. We also have the original papier mache boar made for the launching of Twrch Trwyth. “Traders have really got behind Twrch Trwyth which is nice to see. There has been a lot of decorating. It is helping the Third Sector as well as private traders and has brought us together. For traders these are exciting times!” Angela Phillips ...

Llanelli traders can promote their businesses nationally as part of the High Street campaign. A Wales-wide PR drive is on to encourage more people to shop in their local town centre. One of the way businesses can join in is via social media, spreading their news on Twitter using the hashtag #supporthighstreets and including the Welsh Government @WG_HouseRegen to help spread the word across Wales. There is also a Facebook page – Support Your High Street Wales – which businesses can share their posts on. They can also upload photographs onto the page which will be promoted across the country. Carmarthenshire’s tourism and marketing manager Huw Parsons said: “Local shops and businesses can take this opportunity to join a national campaign and promote their goods and services across Wales. “Llanelli town centre has a lot to offer visitors and shoppers and we would encourage traders to take advantage of this chance to not only encourage more business for themselves, but also more visitors...

Multi-millionaire and social entrepreneur Kevin Green took time out from his busy schedule to give a special talk to the children of Swiss Valley Primary School in Llanelli. Mr Green delighted the children by turning up for the talk in his Aston Martin car. He gave the children a 20-minute talk on how he's managed to turn his life around from being homeless in 1988 to running a property portfolio which makes him the UK's biggest private sector landlord. Mr Green stressed the importance of hard work in striving to achieve your dreams. He also gave the children some handy business tips. "There's a budding entrepreneur in everyone," Green said. "The children of Swiss Valley School have been working hard on a gardening project in the school and are now working on selling their produce and their seeds. "It's great to see first hand such enthusiasm and it's also great to see teachers like Neil Lane working so hard to develop children's ...

Businesses in Carmarthen are being urged to join the new High Street campaign being launched later this month. Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting the Welsh Government initiative taking place between September 20 and 27. It is aimed at encouraging businesses and communities to support their local High Streets and rediscover the benefits of shopping locally. A number of events and activities are being planned in town centres across Wales during the week, and Carmarthen is now being urged to join in. Regeneration executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We are supporting the campaign and are encouraging local shops and businesses to come forward with their ideas. “It could be a specific event or a number of different activities or promotions – the main thing is that people take this opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of shopping locally. “Some town centres are running large carnival style events, whereas in others there are a number of smaller activiti...

The National Eisteddfod has been praised for bringing the cultural event to Llanelli by one of the bosses at a leading West Wales business. Russell Jenkins, operations manager at the Jenkins Bakery, said: "I have nothing but praise for the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod. "It brought life, colour and customers to the town. As far as I am concerned it is a pity Llanelli isn't the established South Wales home of the Eisteddfod. We would then see it here every other year." Mr Jenkins said he was disappointed by the negative reaction of some Llanelli town centre traders to the Eisteddfod. "Yes, it does impact on traffic flow, but speaking for the Jenkins Bakery I can tell you that all our town centre shops were very busy throughout the week. "Our staff entered into the spirit of the event. They put Welsh flags up and decorated shops with a Welsh theme using daffodils, leeks, rugby balls, Welsh dolls, Welsh flags, a Welsh cake 'plank' and red, ...

Hundreds of retail businesses across Carmarthenshire could qualify for up to £1,000 off their rates. A Welsh Government scheme aims to provide targeted assistance to those in the retail sector who qualify for the help. The scheme has been offered to councils to distribute if they choose to do so, Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board will take the decision at their next meeting on Monday, June 2. To qualify for the reduction in business rates, the rateable value of the property cannot be over £50,000, and it has to be used wholly or mainly for retail. Under the scheme, retail is described as the sale of goods, food, drink or certain other services such as hairdressers, travel agents and estate agents offered to the public. Ratepayers with more than one qualifying property will be subject to State Aid limits and will need to include State Aid declarations with their applications. If Carmarthenshire decides to adopt and administer the scheme, it will be fully funded by the Welsh Gov...

Dewis Menter offers free advice and guidance to individuals who want to start their own business. It also supports existing businesses to identify and implement opportunities for growth and development. Along with one- to-one support from Business Development Officers Lesley Lewis and Barry Hale, the project has a team of mentors from the various business sectors and holds events and workshops throughout rural Carmarthenshire. The Dewis Menter team can be contacted on 01267 242429 or  dewismenter@carmarthenshire.gov.uk *This project has been funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded through the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.