Business
Welsh Government releases additional £100M business support
The latest phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund has benefited from the release of a further £100million from ministers within 72 hours of launch, due to a massive demand.
More than 6,000 grant applications from small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises were received within 24 hours of the launch on Friday – an unprecedented response, revealing the scale of the challenges facing Welsh businesses.
The Fund aims to complement and fill the gaps left by UK Government schemes such as the Job Retention Scheme, with grants of up to £10,000 for micro-enterprises and up to £100,000 for SMEs and a light touch appraisal system designed to get money to businesses with the minimum of delay – as well as a new loan fund administered by the Development Bank of Wales.
Less than three weeks since the First Minister announced the intention to create the Fund, the Welsh Government has released a further £100 million, taking the grant fund to £300 million. This will supplement this latest phase of support, providing non-repayable grants to microbusinesses, SMEs and those large businesses of critical, social or economic importance to Wales.
The Fund has been warmly received by trade union and business organisations, with the Institute of Directors calling it ‘very welcome news for business owners and managers who are desperate for all the help they can get at this difficult time’. The South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce has called ‘the rapid response to date’ of the Welsh Government in supporting the economy of Wales ‘impressive’. The Wales TUC welcomed ‘additional funding to address the gaps’.
Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “We knew that even with the help offered by initiative such as the Job Retention Scheme, there was a massive need for quick access to grant funding if Welsh businesses were to survive this unprecedented economic shock. Whilst in order to make the scheme quick and simple we needed to take tough decisions over eligibility – like requiring businesses to be registered for VAT as a way of having to check on their trading history – it is clear from the level of response received that the Economic Resilience Fund is plugging a gap in UK Government support and providing much needed financial reassurance to many businesses at this challenging time. We will continue to review support and consider how we can develop it over the coming days.
“The rate of applications has been massive and unprecedented. This is the second time in a matter of weeks that access to Welsh Government funds aimed at easing cash flow pressures for Welsh business have quickly reached capacity, and we have responded with pace to release a further £100m into this phase of the fund.
“In these difficult and demanding economic times we have worked hard to free up resources to create such a large Fund despite the huge demands on our budget, and to strike a balance between supporting as many enterprises as possible and making a meaningful contribution to each one’s survival, as well as asking each recipient to sign up to the principles of the economic contract.
“Though we applaud much of what the UK Government has done, there is an urgent need to see more of the promised lending guaranteed by the UK Government getting to the front line. The UK Government must continue to support and press the high street banks to be much more responsive to the needs of our businesses at this difficult time.”
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: “The Economic Resilience Fund is part of more than £2bn of support that we have made available to help businesses and charities during these incredibly difficult times.
“We know that support for business is crucially important but whilst we are doing everything we can in Wales to plug any gaps and provide the best possible financial support to businesses, it is clear there are further steps that the UK Government needs to urgently take.”
The Economic Resilience offers financial support to help businesses, charities and social enterprises deal with the coronavirus crisis and will be vital in helping organisations manage cash flow pressures. It is a unique additional funding stream for Wales and was designed to address gaps not currently met by schemes already announced by the UK Government, Welsh Government and Development Bank of Wales.
The first stage of the Fund saw the £100 million Development Bank of Wales’ loan scheme fully subscribed in little more than a week. Applications are currently being processed and some businesses have already received funding. It is anticipated that the Development Bank will have processed all applications received within the month.
To ensure that money reaches businesses as quickly as possible more than 120 additional Welsh Government and Business Wales staff have been diverted onto processing applications and supporting businesses and organisations in this latest stage of the Fund.
Business
Caws Cenarth celebrates growing success with Tesco partnership
WEST WALES cheesemaker Caws Cenarth is celebrating a successful first few months in Tesco stores after its artisan cheeses were launched into the retailer’s Grab and Go range.
The award-winning family business, based in Carmarthenshire, says strong customer demand has followed the launch in selected large Tesco stores across Wales.
The range includes Thelma’s Original Caerffili PGI, Perl Wen, Cenarth Brie and Perl Las, which have proved popular with shoppers looking for high-quality Welsh produce in a convenient format.

Business growth
The success has marked a significant step forward for Caws Cenarth, which has expanded its team and appointed Paul Garnish as Commercial Director to support continued growth.
He will work on strengthening retail partnerships, identifying new opportunities and building on the momentum created by the Tesco launch.
Founded in West Wales, Caws Cenarth has built a reputation for producing artisan cheeses using locally sourced milk and traditional cheesemaking techniques.
The company says the Tesco partnership reflects growing appetite among customers for premium Welsh produce that combines quality, convenience and strong local provenance.
Tesco praise
Tesco Wales buyer Nathan Edwards said: “We’re delighted to see Caws Cenarth go from strength to strength with their artisan cheeses in our Grab and Go range.
“Customers are increasingly looking for high-quality, locally sourced options, and this success is a fantastic example of how Welsh suppliers like Caws Cenarth are meeting these needs.
“Caws Cenarth’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality really stands out, and we’re proud to support their continued growth.”

‘Just the beginning’
Caws Cenarth Managing Director Carwyn Adams said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how our cheeses have been received by Tesco customers.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see more people enjoying what we do, especially as a family business rooted in West Wales.
“We’ve always believed in making cheese the right way – with care, quality ingredients and respect for tradition – and it’s exciting to be able to share that with a wider audience.
“This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum.”
The partnership forms part of Tesco’s wider commitment to supporting local suppliers and bringing regional produce to customers across the UK.

Business
Tudor Glen Caravan Park Pembrokeshire planning call
A CALL for a Pembrokeshire caravan site to be allowed static caravans in lieu of touring ones, which the applicant says was allowed back in 1988, has been submitted to the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Keith Stevens of Tudor Glen Caravan Park, Jameston, through agent Lambe Planning & Design Ltd, seeks a certificate of lawfulness of an existing use of the site to establish the status of a 1988 planning permission.
Essentially what that means is the applicant is seeking confirmation of details of that permission as to whether it includes static or touring caravans.
A supporting statement says: “Tudor Glen Caravan Park is a long-established family owned and operated Holiday Park. The Park extends to approximately six acres and caters for families within static caravans, touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.
“The Park is exceptionally well run and achieved the 2025 runner up award for Best Family Campsite South Wales. The Park has a range of modern purpose-built facilities including a heated swimming pool, laundrette, dedicated play area, games room and full amenity facilities.”
Covering the 1988 approval of removing two previous conditions connected to the site, granting permission for up to 50 caravans and occupancy of March 1 to January 9, it says: “It does not stipulate that the caravans must be removed from the site during the ‘close period’ as would be the case if the consent related to touring caravans,” adding: “It is therefore clear that the intentions of that planning application and the consent granted relates to the siting of up to 50 caravans and not specifically touring caravans.
“If that consent were to be partially restricted to touring, a touring condition would have been imposed and / or a condition requiring that the caravans must be removed from the site during a close period – it doesn’t.”
It concludes: “Whilst the park has been operated on the basis of providing both Static Caravan and Touring Caravan Pitches, [the 1988] Planning Approval clearly gives permission for any type of caravan which complies with the Legal Definition of a Caravan.
“That permission does not restrict the type of unit to either static or touring caravans and does not restrict the layout of the holiday park it is therefore concluded that [the 1988 permission] allows for the siting of any unit which complies with the legal definition of a caravan, and does not restrict the layout or location of the units.
“The applicant therefore seeks confirmation from the LPA to that effect via this Certificate of Lawful (proposed) Use application.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
Business
Pembrokeshire Lydstep Beach Village development refused
A CALL for an extra sign advertising a Pembrokeshire holiday park, adding to exiting unauthorised ones, which planners say would create “visual clutter and intrusion” and a distraction to drivers, has been refused.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, permission was sought, through Lakeside Signs Limited, for an additional sign advertising Haven’s Lydstep Beach Village, near Tenby, the sign proposed for North Lodge where the holiday park joins the main road.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways authority raised no concerns regarding the specific location of the sign, but said “there remains a broader concern regarding the cumulative impact of signage along this section of highway,” adding: “The increasing proliferation of signs in this location has the potential to create a visually cluttered environment, which may distract drivers and, in turn, give rise to road safety implications.”
A Park officer report recommending refusal said: “Currently, there are eight flagpoles, one A-frame banner type sign, one pole mounted panel sign, and a further panel sign, located behind the stone wall on the western side of the park’s entrance. None of these advertisements have the benefit of advertisement consent.”
It added: “The increasing number of signs in this location has the potential to create a distraction to drivers, which may result in road safety implications. In addition, the proliferation of signage would create clutter that would result in visual intrusion in this countryside location affecting amenity. As such, the recommendation is to refuse.”
It went on to say: “Whilst it is not deemed that the proposed advertisement would result in harm being caused to the specific special qualities of this area, there are concerns that the display of this advertisement would, along with the remainder of the advertisements, which are unauthorised, result in a proliferation of advertisements, which in turn would cause visual clutter and intrusion.
“This is especially problematic in a countryside location where development is strictly controlled. Should the existing signage be consolidated and rationalised, the Authority may support the proposed sign, however, currently, any additional signage would not be deemed appropriate.”
The application was refused on the grounds that it would, along with the exiting signage, “result in visual clutter and intrusion which would detract from the visual amenity of this countryside location, and would result in potential distraction to drivers, which in turn would rise to road safety implications”.
-
News6 days agoBaby in critical condition after Fishguard emergency
-
News5 days agoFormer housing officer admits drink-driving in Pembrokeshire retail park
-
Crime5 days agoJob loss threat for convicted Pembrokeshire drug-driver
-
Crime5 days agoMilford motorist disqualified for drug-driving
-
Crime5 days agoPolice tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist
-
Crime4 days agoRacial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge
-
Community5 days agoSixth-former firefighter balances schoolwork with saving lives
-
Crime5 days agoDelivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit







