Business
How to be happy at work
A SURVEY has revealed the top 20 factors for working happiness chosen by people in Wales. The top 20 list, compiled by AAT, the Association of Accounting
Technicians, includes respect for employees, nice toilets, and a comfy chair.
In the top three answers, ‘Flexible hours and understanding when children are sick’ was the most common, chosen by 60% of those questioned. Second was ‘Respect for employees’, given by 56% of those questioned, while third was ‘Fun colleagues’, with 49% choosing that answer.
Top 20 factors for working happiness in Wales
- Flexible hours and understanding when children are sick 60%
- Respect for employees 56%
- Fun colleagues 49%
- Hardworking colleagues 44%
- Regular thank you 42%
- Free parking or close to public transport 37%
- Pay review scheme 3 5 %
- Having ideas listened to 35%
- Being acknowledged for your achievements/hard work 33%
- Realistic deadlines 32%
- Understanding that you’re on holiday/have finished work 31%
- Patience and understanding of colleagues/management 29%
- Fast computer/broadband 29%
- Extra holidays for service 26%
- Nice toilets 25%
- Banter 24%
- Free tea and coffee 21%
- Comfy chair 19%
- Laid back office environment 19%
- Days off around Christmas that don’t come out of holiday 19%
The top three answers given by people in Wales were similar to the top three when the survey looked at the UK as a whole, with the top three answers across the whole country being ‘Respect for employees’ first, ‘Flexible hours and understanding when children are sick’ second, but ‘Hard working colleagues’ came third across the UK instead of ‘Fun colleagues’.
Top 20 factors for working happiness across the UK
- Respect for employees
- Flexible hours and understanding when children are sick
- Hard working colleagues
- Fun colleagues
- Being acknowledged for your achievements / hard work
- Having ideas listened to
- Free parking or close to public transport
- Regular thank you
- Realistic deadlines
- Fast computer and broadband
- Pay review scheme
- Nice toilets
- Patience and understanding of colleagues / management
- Understanding that you’re on holiday/finished work
- Extra holidays for time of service
- Days off around Christmas that don’t come out of your holiday allowance
- Banter
- Free tea and coffee
- Laid back office environment
- Comfy chair
Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of AAT, said: ‘’AAT’s study has unveiled the factors that people feel really make the difference in their working lives and many of them are small touches or benefits, rather than big unrealistic demands.”
“Whilst it’s not always possible to find a job or company that matches everything you want from a career, many of the things on the list are attainable and it’s a good chance for people to work out what matters to them and how to improve their own circumstances. Hopefully the majority of people will be able to look through and assess their happiness based on how many they can tick off.”
Business
Specsavers brings state-of-the-art eyecare to county with landmark investment
IN a time when healthcare services are stretched thin across the UK, Pembrokeshire stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation with the upcoming opening of Wales’ largest Specsavers store in Haverfordwest. Thanks to a transformative £1.2 million investment, the county is poised to benefit from world-class eye and hearing care when the new store opens its doors on Monday, December 16, 2024.
This state-of-the-art facility, situated at 21 Riverside Quay in the Riverside Shopping Centre, is set to revolutionize local healthcare with 14 test rooms, including two dedicated audiology suites. Not only does this make it the largest Specsavers in Wales, but it also places it among the most advanced in the UK. At a time when accessing NHS services can be challenging, the store’s cutting-edge technology and expanded clinical services offer a lifeline to residents, relieving pressure on GPs, hospitals, and A&E departments.
Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, highlighted the importance of this development: “Our investment reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional eye and hearing care in Pembrokeshire. This isn’t just about a bigger store – it’s about meeting the needs of our growing community, introducing advanced clinical services, and training the next generation of optometrists.”
The new store is also a hub for education, supporting optometrists pursuing higher qualifications in areas like Glaucoma and Independent Prescribing. This ensures Pembrokeshire residents have access to top-tier care while nurturing a future generation of specialists.
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Specsavers reveals a critical gap in awareness about eye health. Nearly 70% of Welsh adults don’t think to visit an optician first for eye-related issues, often turning to overstretched NHS services instead. By encouraging patients to make opticians their first point of contact for issues like sudden vision loss or painful eyes, Specsavers aims to change this narrative.
Britton elaborated: “Optometrists are equipped to handle many urgent eye issues, often faster and more effectively than traditional NHS routes. By improving awareness, we’re not only providing faster care but also reducing unnecessary strain on the NHS.”
The grand reopening event promises to be a celebration of both innovation and community spirit, featuring live music from the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir and appearances by local dignitaries, including Pembrokeshire mayors. Specsavers has also committed to a year of community-focused initiatives in 2025, cementing its role as more than just a business – but a vital part of Pembrokeshire life.
Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, praised the investment: “At a time when many towns are struggling, Specsavers’ decision to invest in Haverfordwest demonstrates confidence in our community’s future. This new store is not just a healthcare milestone – it’s a cornerstone of our town’s regeneration.”
With flexible seven-day-a-week hours and a commitment to both innovation and accessibility, Specsavers Haverfordwest is a shining example of how Pembrokeshire continues to defy national trends in healthcare decline. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Pembrokeshire is truly fortunate to have such a forward-thinking service at its heart, proving that even in challenging times, innovation and care can thrive.
Business
Approval expected for 91 Narberth houses
PLANS for an estate of 91 houses, more than 40 per cent of them affordable, in a Pembrokeshire town described as one of the best places to live in the UK, are expected to be approved next week.
In an application recommended for conditional approval at the December 3 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Wales & West Housing Association seeks permission for 91, one, two, three and four bedroomed homes on land to the north of Adams Drive and to the west of Bloomfield Gardens, Narberth.
Narberth was featured in The Sunday Times 2023 Best Places to Live Guide, where it was described as having “a town centre that punches far above its weight”.
28 affordable homes are proposed, along with 12 houses as Low-Cost Home Ownership Units, the remaining 51 homes for open market sale.
Outline planning permission for a residential development on the agricultural land site – now lapsed – was approved in 2010.
Agent Asbri Planning Ltd, in a supporting statement, said: “The design led approach will create a high-quality place, that sensitively sits within the site retained wildlife corridors and positively connects to the community of Narberth.”
It added: “The development of a mixed tenure site for different types of homes will cater for a variety of local people. These include first-time buyers, growing families looking to move up the property ladder, those looking for bungalows or to downsize for their retirement.
“As indicated approximately half of the homes proposed will be for social rent or offered for sale as part of a discounted home ownership scheme for local people who want to buy their own home but cannot afford the high cost of houses in Narberth.
“As a not-for-profit organisation, which operates under charitable rules to bring benefit to their communities, these open market homes would allow Wales & West Housing to self-fund the development without the need for social housing grant or financial support from the Welsh Government. This is therefore an opportunity to provide more affordable housing for local people and families.”
The discounted sale properties will be delivered via Wales & West Housing’s ‘Own Home Cymru’ scheme which helps buyers with a local connection to purchase a home of their own at 70 per cent of market value without the need for a deposit.
The application also proposes 191 parking spaces at the development.
The application finishes: “The proposed development will result in a high-quality environment which contributes to local distinctiveness and a sense of place, leading to regeneration benefits for the wider area in accordance with the site’s vision and brief.”
Business
Cleddau Bridge Hotel affordable homes set to be approved
PLANS to build 35 affordable homes on the fire-ravaged site of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock are expected to be approved next week.
In a prime location at one of the entrances to Pembroke Dock the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel has been derelict since a fire in March 2019, which brought emergency services from as far afield as Ammanford, Aberystwyth and Swansea.
A previous planning application for the demolition of the hotel and siting of a residential care home and linked bungalows was submitted in October 2022 and which was subsequently granted permission in February 2023.
This permission, in outline, is still live and allows for the loss of the hotel use of the site and its alternative redevelopment as a residential care home.
The site has now been purchased by Castell Group Property Specialists who specialise in delivering affordable housing in South Wales and have undertaken a joint development deal with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) and that deal was agreed back in April.
Castell Group Property Specialists, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, now wants to demolish what is left of the hotel, with a development of affordable housing units, with landscaping and ecological enhancements, the housing being 100 per cent affordable, in a mix of a mix of social rent and affordable housing.
Initial discussions with the council were for 38 affordable units, which has been lowered to 35 in a mix of 16 one-bed units, 11 two-bed units, six three-bed units and two four- bed units.
The applicants say: “The application offers an opportunity to find a solution to the redevelopment of the site, which has now been vacant and derelict now for some five years, and to make a significant contribution towards meeting the affordable housing needs of the area. The proposal is unique in that the scheme would be in the form of 100 per cent affordable housing.”
The application is recommended for conditional approval at the December 3 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has previously said the 2019 fire was started by a deliberate act. Following a fire investigation, Dyfed-Powys Police said they found there to be insufficient evidence to identify a suspect.
-
News4 days ago
Local MP’s family avoids farm tax bombshell
-
Health5 days ago
New hospital for west Wales faces delays due to funding issues
-
Business7 days ago
Haverfordwest butcher wins best banger in Wales
-
Sport4 days ago
Local Angharad James-Turner leads Cymru in historic Euro ’25 play-off final
-
featured1 day ago
Teenager killed herself after ten months of hell, says heartbroken mum
-
News6 days ago
Pembrokeshire miracle cat survives journey beneath moving recovery truck
-
Politics6 days ago
Pembrokeshire council tax could increase by 16 per cent
-
Education5 days ago
Young musicians delight at Valero Secondary Schools’ Music festival