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Business

New vision to secure a bright future for Wales’ retail sector

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BETTER pay and conditions, greater job security, improving career progression and a commitment to creating a skilled future workforce are at the heart of a new vision to revitalise Wales’ retail sector being launched this week by the Welsh Government.

The Shared Strategic Vision for the Retail Sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in social partnership to ensure retail has a bright and sustainable future in Wales, which provides fair and rewarding career opportunities for its current and future workers.

The retail sector is hugely important to the Welsh economy. It is Wales’ largest private sector employer, providing jobs to more than 114,000 people, contributing 6% of Wales’ GVA.

The Welsh Government values the jobs, goods, community services and benefits the sector provides. Ministers are committed to working with partners to support a sustainable and prospering retail sector that remains at the heart of Welsh communities, which offers people fair work and real career opportunities.

The changing face of our town centres is vital to retail and in turn our town centres need a successful and resilient retail sector.

The Vision outlines the major challenges facing the sector, and defines the key areas where action is needed.

These include:

  • Improving career opportunities within retail, with a commitment to progressively improving pay, terms and conditions beyond statutory minimums, ideally through collective bargaining.
  • Greater job security, particularly in ensuring workers being offered guaranteed hours and sufficient notice of changes in shift patterns.
  • Retail becoming an exemplar of workforce equality, diversity and inclusion – with proactive steps taken to address under-representation, occupational segregation and pay gaps.
  • Ensuring fair working conditions and a safe working environment, with retail workers having an effective voice in decisions that affect them and their working conditions.
  • Ensuring Wales’ town centres and high streets are thriving, through interventions such as investment, including ‘Transforming Towns’ regeneration investment, support for non-domestic rates and, through the Welsh Government’s Town Centre First approach, making these settings the preferred location for workplaces and services.
  • Addressing skills shortages. Building on the Welsh Government’s Plan for Employability and Skills and in partnership with the sector and trades unions, Ministers are committed to helping to provide the sector with a future-proofed workforce. The plan sets out actions to both upskill existing workers and attract new entrants to the sector.
  • Helping retailers to seize the opportunities of decarbonisation and digitalisation by, for example, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, minimising the carbon footprint of their supply chains and investing in and maximising the potential use of digital technology.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething and Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, are jointly launching the Vision today during a visit to independent bookshop, Storyville and Boots the Chemist in Pontypridd town centre.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “Retail in Wales is hugely important to our economy, our communities, and our well-being as a nation. Retail is all around us in every part of Wales – in every village, town and city. We very much value the jobs, goods, community services and benefits it provides.

“Our appreciation of the retail sector, as a cornerstone of the foundational economy, has only grown through the Covid pandemic – but we know a successful and resilient retail sector does not happen by accident. That’s why it is important we nurture the environment in which it can grow and adapt, especially in response to shift to a more circular economy.

“The shared vision we are launching today commits the Welsh Government and the retail sector to an ongoing dialogue and close working to rise to the challenges ahead. We know there are no quick fixes, easy solutions, or infinite budgets. What we do have, however, is a willingness to work in social partnership, with the Welsh Government, employers, business representative bodies and trade unions working together to understand where we are now, where we want to get to, and how we can get there.

“The Welsh Government is determined to improve the quality of life and the conditions that will make Wales an attractive place for individuals and businesses to plan their futures. I firmly believe the retail sector has a vibrant future, and will continue to be a key player within the Welsh economy.”

Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn said: “The retail sector is heavily dependent on its workforce. A better deal for retail workers – better pay, better terms and conditions, better training and better career prospects will help the retail sector overcome workforce recruitment and retention challenges, particularly at a time of high employment. This will help project retail as a long-term career of choice and equip the workforce to deliver even better levels of customer service.

“We must ensure retail workers have a genuine voice, predominantly through their trade unions, in helping to shape their working conditions and the future of work in the sector. Embedding the spirit of social partnership – where businesses and trade unions work together – must be a cornerstone of the retail sector of tomorrow.”

Sara Jones, Head of the Wales Retail Consortium said: “The Retail Vision provides welcome recognition of the retail industry, and our workforce, by the Welsh Government. The covid pandemic shone a spotlight on just how important a role our retailers play, as drivers of the economy and as community champions at the heart of our towns. The industry continues to face structural challenges that have only been accelerated over the last two years, however we know that there are opportunities to flourish and to create sustainable high streets and ensure retail remains a career of choice for many.

“The sector has a strong tradition of innovating and being at the forefront of new ideas, to the benefit of Welsh customers, and we look forward to building on these foundations in a truly collaborative approach with policymakers and leaders at all levels. Whether it be through the industry’s Climate Action Roadmap, Diversity and Inclusion Charter, or our significant charitable giving, retailers are continuously looking at ways to promote equality and opportunity for our workforce, suppliers and our communities, and be an effective contributor to society. We look forward to the next stage of the Retail Vision and the WRC being a key partner in delivering on these aspirations.”

Nick Ireland, Usdaw Regional Secretary said: “We have been working with the Welsh Government and our social partners for some time on how we can together tackle long established issues in the retail industry and we are delighted with the Vision that they have announced today. The industry as a whole was struggling before Covid-19 with record numbers of shop closures and job losses, so the ongoing commitment to support high streets and regenerate town centres is crucial.

“We not only need to secure jobs through helping the retail industry to prosper, but they must be good jobs with decent pay, that promote equality and bring an end to insecure contracts, which we have consistently called for in our ‘New Deal for Workers’ campaign. That is best achieved through collective bargaining with trade unions, which is an important part of this Vision for retail in Wales.

“Usdaw stands ready to build on the work we have done with the Welsh Government, business representative groups and by engaging with retail employers and seeking to deliver a highly motivated, well-trained and respected workforce. For too long retail work has been undervalued, this Vision gives us the opportunity to change that and give Welsh retail staff the dignity they deserve.”

The Strategic Vision will be followed by a delivery-focussed Action Plan in the coming months.

Business

Cardigan shop wins St David’s Day competition

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CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.

High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.

To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.

To enter the competition, participants must:

  • Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
  • Like the competition post
  • Comment with their favourite Welsh word

The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.

For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

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Business

Calling all creatives, join this month’s advice and networking drop-in!

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CREATIVE WEST WALES and Pembrokeshire’s Business Team will join forces at a drop in session this month to celebrate and support the region’s amazing creative industries.

Established companies, freelancers or those considering a new start-up, are invited to visit the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock on Friday, 28th March, 9am to 12pm to find out what business support is available from a range of organisations including Pembrokeshire County Council, Business Wales, FSB and Visit Pembrokeshire.

A networking session will offer a chance to meet fellow creatives, explore potential collaborations, and meet representatives from Yr Egin, Creative Wales and the Creative West Wales Network to find out more about assistance available for talented people in the West Wales area, especially those in the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “There is a wealth of creative talent in this area which should be celebrated and supported.

“We host a popular Business Drop In event on the last Friday of each month. It’s great to be able to focus on the creative industries this month and offer an opportunity to find out more about what support is available, discuss challenges and network with other local people from these sectors.”

If you would like to showcase your work during this event please email anwen.baldwin@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Refreshments available, register via Eventbrite Digwyddiad Galw Heibio i Fusnesau / Drop In Business Support & Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

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Business

Launch of Celtic Freeport ‘vital’ for economic growth and clean energy

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CELTIC FREEPORT AT MILFORD HAVEN AND PORT TALBOT TO DRIVE UK ECONOMIC GROWTH MISSION

THE CELTIC FREEPORT has been officially launched, bringing significant inward investment to South West Wales and taking a major step towards creating thousands of new jobs, the Welsh Government announced this week.

It also re-affirmed its commitment to £26 million of UK Government investment.

The freeport, covering the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is set to play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future. It spans multiple industries, including clean energy developments, fuel terminals, power generation, heavy engineering, and the steel sector.

Businesses operating within the freeport area will benefit from substantial UK and Welsh Government tax breaks and customs exemptions to encourage investment. The initiative is expected to attract £8.4 billion in private and public investment, generate 11,500 new jobs, and contribute £8.1 billion in economic value (GVA) to the region.

The freeport was launched at an event in Cardiff, attended by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens on a visit to Associated British Ports at Port Talbot

“Significant step towards a renewable energy superpower”

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This Government has a Plan for Change focused on delivering economic growth and ensuring the UK becomes a renewable energy superpower. This announcement is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.

“The Celtic Freeport will create up to 11,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs and could leverage up to £8.4 billion in investment.

“The UK Government has committed £26 million to the freeport, alongside significant incentives from both the UK and Welsh Governments. I am very pleased to see two governments working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.”*

“A vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy”

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The official opening of the Celtic Freeport sends another clear signal to the world that the industrial heartlands of South Wales are a vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy.

“We are already seeing real enthusiasm across the region and beyond to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities that this new industrial age will provide. The Welsh Government will be at Celtic’s side, offering major tax reliefs to attract business investment.

“The Freeport will also be able to use future non-domestic rates revenues to fund vital infrastructure and skills projects, benefiting Port Talbot and Milford Haven for generations to come.”

Freeport projects already making progress

Following the successful launch, Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, highlighted the rapid progress of key projects: “The Celtic Freeport is making significant strides forward with milestones such as planning consents for LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel production plants, RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant, and the launch of the Milford Haven CO₂ Project.

“Other major developments include H2 Energy and Trafigura’s West Wales Hydrogen project securing a hydrogen CfD, Haush establishing a green energy HQ, and the approval of wind turbine developments to expand Dragon Energy’s Renewables Park.

“These initiatives, alongside investments in battery energy storage by RWE and port infrastructure at Port Talbot, are accelerating South Wales’ reindustrialisation and driving a decarbonised economy rich in evolving and new industries.”

A cleaner, greener future

The Celtic Freeport aims to establish a green investment and innovation corridor, driving inward investment, skills development, and national decarbonisation. Key focus areas include:

  • Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
  • Hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels
  • Carbon capture and storage
  • Cleaner steel production
  • Low-carbon logistics

As one of 12 Freeports across the UK, the Celtic Freeport will play a pivotal role in the UK Government’s Growth Mission, supporting the transition to green industries and creating thousands of high-quality jobs for local communities.

(Cover image: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens – Speaking at the Celtic Freeport event in Cardiff)

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