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Retailer Choose Blackwood over Newport
A seasoned retailer Gary Reynolds has decided to close his shop in Newport so that he can concentrate on his business in Blackwood town centre. The business called Mr Mobile sells a large range of phone accessories as well as pre-owned phones, it also undertakes repair work. Known locally as ‘The Irish One’ the shop is located in Gravel Lane, which links the High Street and The Market Place Shopping Centre. Gary originally began the business working from a stall in markets before opening shops on South Wales high streets. He has been trading in Blackwood for the last 12 years. Gary said: I needed to focus on just one shop so I choose Blackwood and closed in Newport. I like the town and the people here are really nice and very friendly which makes a difference to how you spend your day. Mr Mobile supports the Armed Forces & Emergency Services by offering serving personnel a discount.
Funding boost for Business Start-up Grant Scheme
Caerphilly County Borough Council has recently received funding to support their Business Start-up Grant Scheme, which is used to fund a variety of businesses starting out within Caerphilly County Borough. Tata Subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise has given £5,000 to partly fund the scheme, which is jointly funded by Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise. Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development said: Thank you to UK Steel Enterprise for their continued commitment to the Business Start-Up Grant Scheme. As a result of this, we are able to provide up to £500 of funding to brand new businesses within Caerphilly County Borough. I am looking forward to continuing to provide support to new businesses within the area, as we have done for many years. Andy Morris, Manager in Wales, UK Steel Enterprise said: We are delighted to be supporting the scheme and working with Caerphilly County Borough Council for a fourth year. In that period, 58 new businesses have been launched and 74 new jobs created. He continued: The quality of applicants has been very high and we are confident that the scheme has made an important contribution to the economic life of the area. This flexible scheme is designed to help residents of Caerphilly County Borough set up a full-time business for the first time, who are not able to access any other source of funding. The funding is a discretionary grant and can provide up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of £500. Business start-ups from all business sectors may be…
Manic’s Star Chooses Blackwood High Street
When the Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield is in Blackwood and needs some new guitar strings he goes to see his friend Simon Fowler who runs Rusty’s Guitars & Retro Store. Previously, Simon and his wife Trish ran Must Have Music for over 12 years and now they have relocated to Emily’s Indoor Market situated above Wilko’s on Blackwood High Street. Rusty’s Guitars & Retro Store sells a wide range of guitars and accessories including strings, sheet music & amplifiers as well as diversifying into pre-owned computer games and film merchandise. Simon said: At Rusty’s Guitars & Retro Store our aim is to get people to ‘Rock ‘n’ Shop local’. When someone wants to buy a guitar from us we spend time making sure they choose the right one for them. Selling someone a guitar is the just the start of a long-term relationship with our customers as we help them enjoy their music.
Bees give pupils a buzz at Ynysddu Primary School
Pupils at Ynysddu Primary School have been given a sneak peek at a new bee keeping project based within their school grounds. Officially launching next month the project will provide pupils at Ynysddu and surrounding schools the opportunity to learn about the importance of pollinators and become bee keepers, learning all about the wonderful world of bees whilst doing so. Working with Lorne East from Sirhowy Valley Honeybee Company, a social enterprise based in Wylie, pupils will follow the lives of the bees throughout the year as they pollinate plants and make honey, all under the watch of their queen bee. Cllr. Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said: The new bee keeping project at Ynysddu Primary School is a great example of Caerphilly County Borough Council working in partnership to deliver environmental and ecological educational opportunities to pupils. I am sure that pupils will learn so much from their experiences, both about the importance of bees to our Eco-system and the need to respect nature and wildlife. Cllr. Ken James, Cabinet Member for Member for Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Sustainable Development said: This is a brilliant environmental project, supporting the protection of nature and wildlife is hugely important to Caerphilly County Borough Council and I’m pleased to see so many partner organisations coming together for the good of the environment. I am sure the pupils will have a brilliant time learning all about bees and why they’re so important. The project is funded by Keep Wales Tidy ‘All Wales Grant’ Scheme, CCBC Greener Caerphilly…
Successful Business Fits into Busy Town
Infinite Kitchens & Bathrooms see Blackwood town centre as the perfect fit for their growing business. The business was started by Mike Sharpe who began his working life installing kitchens and bathrooms for his fathers business in Abertillery. When his father retired, Mike decided to put his experience to good use and set up his own business called Infinite Kitchens & Bathrooms. The company has just celebrated the first anniversary of opening a showroom on Blackwood High Street. Mike said: From my experience fitting kitchens and bathrooms I understand how important the quality of the product is. That’s why at Infinite Kitchens & Bathrooms we source our range carefully so that we provide our customers with a quality kitchens and bathrooms at reasonable prices
Next Generation Takes Over Family Business
Tidal’s Store is a family run business located on High Street in Blackwood town centre specialising in home furnishing. The business has been run for five generations by the “The Edwards Family” and is currently managed by Huw Edwards who has taken over following the retirement of his parents Ian & Beverly. Over the years shops have opened and closed but since 1939 Tidal’s has remained a constant on Blackwood’s High Street. Huw said: As a respected family business it’s important that our prices are honest and a true reflection of the value of the goods. The philosophy that underpins what we choose to sell is that our customers should buy once and buy well.
New Ladies Fashion Retailer Opens
A new independent ladies clothes boutique called Miss Label has opened on High Street in Blackwood town centre. The shop is the fourth to be launched in South Wales as part of a new independent chain developed by entrepreneurs Gary Bailey and Andrew Owen. Miss Label is managed by experienced retail manager Jayne Williams. Jayne said: We are really excited about showing the people of Blackwood our range of elegant ladies fashion at great prices and we aim to combine this with fantastic customer service.
“Kiss Me Quick”
We were invited to something a little different, a provocative cocktail of feathers, sequins, dancers and tassels; an evening with the unforgettable burlesque performers of kiss me quick. It’s a warm and sunny Saturday evening in Newbridge, South Wales. Walking into the nostalgic 19th century memorial hall of Newbridge Memo proves to be an enriching and relaxing haven; free from the chaotic madness of the M4 traffic. The memorial hall was built in memory of the 75 residents of Newbridge who lost their lives during World War 1. Originally it was intended to be a reception in loving memory and celebration of what would have been their homecoming. Today however, we are here for an entirely different occasion, a celebration of the theatrical 1840s art form of striptease with the fabulous seaside burlesque show, “Kiss Me Quick”. Tonight, whilst still maintaining it’s endearing character, the historic memorial hall is a provocative cocktail of feathers, sequins, dancers and tassels. Excitement fills the air as the crowd begin to fill the theatre and take their seats. The lights soon go down and the show is about to begin. First on stage (or attempting to climb up on it) is the beautiful and ever so tipsy Kheski Kobler. Kheski is both hilarious and seductive as she struggles to undress in front of a very amused yet encouraging crowd. She is warmly received and sets the scene perfectly with her staggeringly quirky performance. The charming host, FooFoo Labelle entertains the crowd throughout the evening as she warmly welcomes each performer to the stage.…
Costa Coffee Chooses Blackwood High Street
Costa Coffee has opened a new shop in Blackwood town centre in what was formally the Coed Duon Public House located next to New Look on High Street. The national coffee chain, operated by a Welsh franchisee, has spent the last few months making extensive renovations to the building in order to create its signature fit out which can seat in excess of 50 customers. In opening its new Blackwood shop Costa Coffee has created 11 jobs for local people. Manager Siobhan Clifton said: We are delighted to open in Blackwood and have had a great welcome from customers. Our aim is to bring something different to the town and work alongside existing businesses.