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Leader Live
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Flintshire tourism sector to benefit from new funding scheme
Known as the Flintshire Tourism Growth Fund, the scheme is now in its second phase and offers financial support to businesses that contribute to the visitor economy. The scheme is delivered by Cadwyn Clwyd and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Donna Hughes, business partnerships officer at Cadwyn Clwyd, said: "The Flintshire Tourism Growth Fund is aimed at businesses that contribute to the visitor economy in Flintshire as a whole. "We have had successful applications from cafes, the retail sector, farm shops and delis – anything which is contributing to the visitor economy in Flintshire." Cariad Gins (Image: Mandy Jones) In the first phase of the programme, 36 grants totalling £462,000 were awarded. This led to the creation of 15.5 full-time equivalent jobs and the safeguarding of 117 jobs. Ms Hughes recently visited Clwydian Range Distillery to see how owners Fiona Lewis and Simon Ollman used their grant to expand the business. The distillery, based in Lixwm near Holywell, produces the award-winning Cariad Gin. The couple received more than £7,700 to purchase distilling equipment, a storage container, an ice machine and a gazebo for events. Ms Lewis said: "We couldn't have grown the business without the grant. "For so many small businesses, these grant schemes are a crucial part of their growth and development. "One of the best things about the programme is being able to contact the team so easily. "If you're stuck you can just give them a call, the support we have received was fantastic. "The grant really has made a big difference." The couple launched the distillery in 2018 after Mr Ollman suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2013 that ended his career in civil engineering. Ms Lewis said the business not only supported his recovery but also gave the family a new shared purpose. The distillery was launched in 2018 (Image: Mandy Jones) Their blackcurrant gin won gold at the Wales Distilled Awards, where Mr Ollman was also named Distiller of the Year. They have since expanded production into a dedicated distilling room and tasting space at their home. The Flintshire Tourism Growth Fund supports existing micro, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as start-ups in the tourism and visitor economy sectors. The first phase supported a wide range of projects, including EV charging points, glamping pods, kitchen upgrades, and training. The deadline for applications to the second phase is July 31. Ms Hughes encouraged businesses to apply soon. She said: "The message to businesses is you need to be quick because the deadline is at the end of July."
Leader Live
26 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Michelin star restaurant in Menai Bridge among the world's best
From Sydney to Marrakesh, London to Paris, and everywhere in between, the experts at La Liste have reviewed thousands of restaurants from around the world based on publications, guidebooks and online reviews. As a result, it has established a list of the world's best restaurants, which includes five in Wales. The restaurants in Wales that have been named among the world's best by La Liste are: You can see the full list of the world's best restaurants on the La Liste website. Address: Trinity House, 1 High St, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EE La Liste score: 83.5 Sosban and the Old Butchers is an "intimate" Michelin star restaurant located in Menai Bridge. From the moment you step into the North Wales restaurant, you get a feeling of exclusivity", according to the Michelin Guide. It explains: "Covered windows add a feeling of exclusivity to this intimate restaurant; once inside, you'll discover an appealingly rustic room with Welsh slate walls, sheepskin-covered chairs and hand-painted animal tiles pointing back to its butcher's shop days. "Stephen Stevens' surprise menu utilises a wealth of North Wales ingredients in dishes that provide bold flavours and original, personal touches, demonstrating an innate understanding of cooking techniques and flavour combinations – the cod with fermented onion fudge is superb." Sosban and the Old Butcher has been described by visitors as the "most unbelievable dining experience." (Image: Tripadvisor) It's not just the experts who love Sosban and the Old Burtchers, but customers as well, with the Menai Bridge-based restaurant boasting a 4.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 373 reviews. RECOMMENDED READING: Three 'unforgettable' seaside pubs in North Wales named among the UK's best North Wales 'best' fish and chip shop named among UK's top takeaways 'Picturesque' North Wales town among UK's best for al fresco dining and pub gardens One guest, talking about their experience on Tripadvisor, said: "Most unbelievable dining experience I've ever had. "Food was amazing! Chef talked us through every dish, explaining where it comes from, how it was cooked, why and how it should be eaten. "Service was laid back and casual, which was an interesting touch from what I had experienced before. "Very unique, a fantastic evening!"
Leader Live
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Brymbo residents asked to nominate good cause for donation
National housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has launched a 'community chest' competition to support organisations near its Coed Issa development in Brymbo. Residents are invited to nominate a good cause in the area that could benefit from the funding, whether for new equipment, a fundraising challenge or other needs. Jennifer Burns, sales manager for Taylor Wimpey North West, said: "Community groups and local charities rely heavily on the support they receive, so we are delighted to be able to do our bit for residents around Brymbo through our community chest campaign. "If you know of a worthy cause in your area, we would love to hear about them." READ MORE: Get nostalgic with a dip into the Leader photo archives Nominations should be emailed to coedissa@ including the name of the nominee and a brief description of why they deserve the support. The deadline for submissions is midnight on July 10. Taylor Wimpey will select one charity or group to receive the £500 donation. The ongoing Coed Issa development offers 70 three and four-bedroom modern homes. Located on Heritage Way in Brymbo, the development is set in green open space within reach of Wrexham town centre's restaurants, pubs and cafes. For more information about the Coed Issa development, visit call 01978 897578, or email
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Reading looking for residents to join steering group
The University of Reading is looking for two local residents to join its community engagement steering group. The group, launched two years ago, is chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort. It meets three times a year to provide strategic oversight of the university's community engagement activities. Professor Van de Noort said: "A key part of our university strategy is to be engaged with our local community. "This means working in partnership with local residents to understand how we as a university can best serve our community." The outgoing members, Andrea Malcolm and Hiral Patel, have helped to make the university campuses more accessible to all community groups during their two-year membership. They have also been instrumental in launching the community champions network. Andrea said: "I wanted to make a positive difference where I live. "Being part of the steering group allowed me to support community-focused events and projects that promote partnership, awareness, and local opportunities." Hiral added: "I joined the steering group to strengthen the partnership between local communities and the university, motivated by my deep connection to both." The university is inviting expressions of interest for the role by Friday, June 27. No previous experience of being part of a steering group or working with the university is required, but strong local connections, a good understanding of the area, and a passion for community engagement are essential. The appointments will last for the 2025/26 academic year, with the possibility of extension, and travel expenses will be paid.
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Breathe. Hold. Invest: What Yoga teaches us about wealth creation
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Investing isn't a destination, it's a lifelong journey that evolves with you, growing alongside you with each passing a world driven by instant gratification and volatile markets, both yoga and investing require something increasingly rare: discipline, patience, and mindfulness. By aligning the philosophy of yoga with financial habits, investors can create a more balanced relationship with their equity investors look for quick results. They micro analyse each day's market fluctuation, try to rethink each decision they made, second guess not only their own research but also the advises they have acted on from seasoned professionals. But when you look back at this moment 20 or 30 years from now, these fluctuations will feel like nothing more than a small blip in decades ago, the Sensex was around 5,000 points. Despite several ups and downs like the Global Financial Crises where Sensex declined by more than 30% in less a 6 months period; a sharp fall of about 27% at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and numerous periods of sideways movement, Sensex has yet again crossed the 81,000 mark. This is a 16.2x times gain in the 20 years period. This long-term growth underscores a vital lesson - patience and persistence are often the most rewarding strategies in not only Yoga but also in every bout of volatility which could be triggered by events completely out of anyone's control, investors often feel depressed looking at the temporary losses in their portfolio values. Many even act impulsively and sell some of their investments. But most successful investors aren't chasing quick wins or reacting to every market shift. They think long-term, stay calm during volatility, and many times take advantage of the market nervousness to find some compelling ideas. The power of compounding is infact like yoga - it has the power to transform your life in ways that one would have never imagined. Ask someone who has spent years meditating in a disciplined fashion, the transformation that he/she has undergone. Somebody who has never meditated cannot even imagine the inner peace that someone with that experience has achieved. Just as no one masters a headstand on the first try or fully experiences the benefits of kapalbhati or pranayama within a few weeks, it's the steady ongoing practice that brings real session of Yoga begins with one fundamental instruction: focus on your breath. It's a call to anchor yourself in the present moment and not on what just happened or what's coming next. The same lesson applies to investing. People need to see beyond just returns if they want to create true wealth and that is possible only when you focus on the investment process and not on the investment investing, one has to understand that despite all the research, analysis, and planning, there will always be elements of risk. You might pick the right fund, but the market may still dip leading to a broader level fall in your portfolio. You might invest at the perfect time, but returns could take years to compound. That's not failure, but a reality. A very important philosophy that applies here is 'aparigraha' or non-attachment. By embracing non-attachment, investors can avoid the stress of trying to control every outcome. It's about being consistent, making thoughtful decisions, and then allowing the process to unfold. This is much like holding a yoga pose with presence and ease, rather than striving for has been recognised globally to discover the essence of life. By focusing on the present, dealing day to day with equanimity, maintaining discipline to lead a balanced life and using meditation and exercises for both the mind and body, millions of people have achieved happiness. By incorporating some of these principles in our investment processes, we can have similar outcomes for our wealth as well.: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
