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Aber Falls Whisky Distillery Expands Nationwide

Aber Falls Whisky Distillery is taking its award-winning Welsh whisky from Abergwyngregyn to grocers nationwide, including Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Morrisons. These listings have given Aber Falls its most significant

presence across the UK since its launch. They are part of a long-term plan to grow the Welsh whisky category while educating retailers and consumers on the brand’s history and its vision for the future. Despite the challenges businesses have faced over the past two years, Welsh companies continue to thrive and grow. James Wright, Managing Director at Aber Falls, said: “We’ve developed a successful online business during the last two years, and our whisky is now hitting shelves across supermarkets UK-wide and entering a number of international markets – so we’re definitely

focusing on the positives.” The Aber Falls Single Malt

Welsh Whisky is available at Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and ASDA at £26.

Stanley & Lottie embraces local collaborations

Stanley & Lottie is a home-based company using its website, social media, local artisan markets and popup shops to reach customers in the North Wales community and around the UK. This flexible approach allows

the company to showcase their unique and varied collection of contemporary and affordable homeware and gifts in a number of settings. An excellent customer experience and personal service is key to Stanley & Lottie, and as a result they offer free gift wrapping and local home delivery services. Quality is also hugely important, and Stanley & Lottie spends time making sure that they are offering a quality product at an affordable price. In addition, their collaborations with other local small businesses also means that they are helping to contribute to the local economy as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

Solicitor warns of statutory payment changes

A range of new statutory payments and limits were introduced in April – including increases in the national minimum wage, and minimum pay specifically for

agricultural workers in Wales. John Merry (pictured), head of employment law at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, which has offices in Conwy and works with

businesses across North Wales, says employers need to make sure they are aware of the changes. “The National Living Wage has been increased from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour for those aged over 23, with a sliding scale of increases for those younger than 23 and first year apprentices,” he said.

“Here in Wales, the Senedd has implemented a new set of pay rates and allowances for the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors which will apply retrospectively from 1 April 2022. Alongside these changes, statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and parental bereavement pay increased on 11 April from £151.97 to £156.66 per week. Compensation limits have also changed - for dismissals effective from 6 April, the cap on the value of a week’s pay for certain statutory purposes, such as calculating statutory redundancy pay and basic awards of compensation, has increased from £544 to £571.”

A place for everything!

Whatever the occasion, Rydal Penrhos has the ideal setting to really put the icing on the cake. Maria MacLean explains…

Celebrations, parties, baby showers, funerals. There is no type of occasion that we can’t manage here at Rydal Penrhos.

Our team of talented chefs, who are on-site all year round, are able to create delicious three-course meals through to luscious cream teas – or even a barbecue for the summer occasions. Or, if you would rather, we work with a handpicked group of local food producers who offer various “street”

food options, ideas such as Prosecco vans, wood-fired pizzas,

local seafood, fresh ice cream, hot desserts – our staff will be more than willing to accommodate these needs.

From our Church Hall to our incredible cricket pavilion looking out on one of the most beautiful pitches in Wales, Rydal Penrhos has a reputation for providing everything to meticulous detail and ensuring those using the site get everything they ever dreamed of.

We have hosted funerals through to baby shower events and everything in between. If you need a much larger venue we have the choice of our more contemporary Ferguson Centre with beautiful sea views which is the perfect relaxed space for cocktail parties, informal celebrations, business gatherings or conferences.

If you have a large event where you want to use the most beautiful Grade II listed Osborn Hall with its newly refurbished parquet floors and wood panelling, mood lighting

and stained glass windows, then you are in for a spectacular setting that would make any occasion a truly memorable event.

One of the only venues in North Wales able to host such a large number of guests, the Osborn Hall is a must for anyone considering a ball, awards evening or wedding. Seeing is believing regarding this truly remarkable building that dates back decades.

And if you fancy a “back yard” wedding or event, in a

marquee, this is something we are also adept at. Sheltered by the incredible sandstone cloisters, the Osborn Hall and the Theatre/Memorial Hall, our Quad and Cloisters make the most iconic setting for drinks or any event from barn dancing to a glamorous black-tie event.

Step inside the Memorial Hall and you are literally walking back in time to “Downtown Abbey” style architecture and feel.

Anyone would feel like a prince, princess or the belle of the ball in such surroundings.

From relaxed to formal we can offer it all and as if by magic we have experienced, professional wedding and event planners in school who have worked on weddings, parties and funerals for their entire professional careers in North Wales and around the world. They provide help with planning and curating and running the actual events so that everything is done smoothly without any stress on you on the day itself. No request is too large or too small, if you want spotted balloons or palm trees they will find them for you – it’s all part of the service!

What do you do next? Just come in and chat, meet the planners, look around the options and decide what you want for your event, you will be most welcome. Booking is just the first step. That’s when the fun begins and

our staff look to alleviate any stresses or concerns from start to finish in a fun-loving, passionate manner. n

Anyone wishing to enquire more about holding an event at Rydal Penrhos should email events@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155

Development Bank of Wales announces funding for multi-million pound luxury lodge development in Denbighshire

Bryn Morfydd Hotel and Lodge Park at Llanrhaeadr, near Denbigh, closed in January 2009 and fell into disrepair. The 15-acre site will now be redeveloped by Jamie Hughes of HHH Park No 1 Limited, with a £2.2 million loan from the Wales Business Fund being used to part-finance the construction of

68 luxury lodges. The deal was completed with the assistance of North Wales law firm Lanyon Bowdler who acted on behalf

of HHH Park No 1 Limited. James Guile of Hugh James acted for the Development Bank of Wales.

With over 25 years-experience of working in the holiday park sector as the owner of Hughes Holiday Homes Limited, Jamie also has the backing of co-director and investor Andrew Williams-Owen and Cheshire-based leisure construction specialists Peter Harding & Co Limited who will carry out all infrastructure works.

“North Wales is home to some of the most exclusive and highvalue lodge parks in the UK yet demand continues to outstrip supply,” said Jamie Hughes. “Staycations and home-working

are contributing to this as people seek a different way of life. With the support of the Development Bank, the acquisition and development of Bryn Morfydd gives us the opportunity to bring this prominent site back to its former glory with ultimately 89 luxury lodges and a 39 bedroom hotel. It really will become a safe and beautiful haven for those seeking luxury living in an area of outstanding natural beauty.” Meadwhile Scott Hughes of the Development Bank of Wales said: “Jamie has an impressive track record and knows the market inside-out. He has the support of a highly experienced team who share his passion for developing five star luxury lodge parks.

Our investment will be a welcome boost for the local economy with the redevelopment of the derelict site along with the creation of more high-quality holiday accommodation and jobs for local people.”

Ed Nutting, of Lanyon Bowdler, commented: “Tourism has always been a vital part of the North Wales economy, so bringing this site back to life is a fantastic boost for the whole area. We were very pleased to assist with the legal arrangements required for the purchase of the site on behalf of HHH Park No 1 Limited, and we wish them every success for the future.”

The £204 million Wales Business Fund is financed by

the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments

are available for deals between £50,000 and £2 million with terms ranging from one to seven years for small and mediumsized businesses (those with fewer than 250 employees) based in Wales, or willing to relocate to Wales. n

For more information please visit www.developmentbank.wales

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