“The long wait is almost over. This weekend will see Cardiff host the greatest sporting event of 2017, the UEFA Champions League Final. The final is  the culmination of months of planning that has been  focussed on ensuring visitors from across the world are safe, well looked after and afforded a fantastic Welsh welcome as they enjoy the occasion.   

“With around 200,000 additional visitors expected in Cardiff over 1-4 June, 2,500 members of the media and an estimated global live TV audience of 200 million, few events can match the Champions League Final for size and scope. The challenges that come with being the smallest city ever to host such an event should not be underestimated, not least in ensuring that every aspect of the infrastructure and transport network is primed  to best serve South Wales and it’s many visitors. 

“The weekend will see additional trains providing capacity for up to 60,000 passengers,  with partners from across the UK helping ensure increased rail capacity and frequency. 

“There will be over 1250 coaches, an additional temporary terminal at Cardiff airport helping welcome up to 10,000 air charter passengers to Wales and  the Eastern Bay link road which will open to coaches. There will also be a number of park and ride/walks in full operation, the newest of which, in Llanwern, will add 4,000 additional spaces. 

“These are amongst the many, many measures in place to support what will be the busiest ever weekend on our transport network. For those travelling in and around Cardiff, please leave plenty of time and carefully consider all available modes of transport to avoid disruption.” 

“The long wait is almost over. This weekend will see Cardiff host the greatest sporting event of 2017, the UEFA Champions League Final. The final is  the culmination of months of planning that has been  focussed on ensuring visitors from across the world are safe, well looked after and afforded a fantastic Welsh welcome as they enjoy the occasion.   

“With around 200,000 additional visitors expected in Cardiff over 1-4 June, 2,500 members of the media and an estimated global live TV audience of 200 million, few events can match the Champions League Final for size and scope. The challenges that come with being the smallest city ever to host such an event should not be underestimated, not least in ensuring that every aspect of the infrastructure and transport network is primed  to best serve South Wales and it’s many visitors. 

“The weekend will see additional trains providing capacity for up to 60,000 passengers,  with partners from across the UK helping ensure increased rail capacity and frequency. 

“There will be over 1250 coaches, an additional temporary terminal at Cardiff airport helping welcome up to 10,000 air charter passengers to Wales and  the Eastern Bay link road which will open to coaches. There will also be a number of park and ride/walks in full operation, the newest of which, in Llanwern, will add 4,000 additional spaces. 

“These are amongst the many, many measures in place to support what will be the busiest ever weekend on our transport network. For those travelling in and around Cardiff, please leave plenty of time and carefully consider all available modes of transport to avoid disruption.” 

Two plots have already been sold, subject to contract, to a local business wishing to expand – and discussions are taking place with other local businesses and individuals looking to build their own premises.

The expansion followed enquiries from a number of companies, including businesses based in Presteigne, that wanted to expand.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“This investment is the latest in a number of proactive interventions taken by the Welsh Government to support businesses based in areas of rural Wales that wish to expand.

“As a Government we are committed to supporting business growth which in many parts of Wales means we have to step in and invest in premises and infrastructure when the private sector  is not delivering.

“I want to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared across Wales and the expansion of Broadaxe Business Park supports this strategy as we know the availability of sites and premises is fundamental in attracting new investment, retaining existing investment and creating jobs.” 

He added that last week he officially opened a new £1.8m facility the Welsh Government had built to enable Zip-Clip to expand its operations in Welshpool and ground works are also underway by the Welsh Government that will pave the way for Charlies Stores to build a new headquarters and ecommerce fulfilment centre on Offa’s Dyke Business Park in Welshpool.

The Broadaxe project was carried out by Jones Brothers (Henllan) Limited.  It involved the construction of a new road and the installation of associated services which have opened the 4 acre site and created six serviced development plots for businesses. 

Gareth Jones, Director, Jones Bros (Henllan) Ltd said: 

“As a long established Welsh business, we are naturally delighted to have been involved in bringing this prestigious development site to fruition by constructing the access road and the installation of associated services and infrastructure. 

“We have had recent involvement in a number of business park projects in Carmarthenshire (Cross Hands Food Park and Trostre Retail park), as well as other parts of Wales and hope that this investment will help deliver the same economic and employment opportunities that the other have delivered.” 

Following the appalling terror attack in Manchester this week, the First Minister has called for unity in the face of adversity.

He said:  

“At a time when many people across the country will be feeling upset, scared and angry, it is important we remember the words of Jo Cox; we have far more in common that than which divides us.

“The appalling attack in Manchester was an attempt to divide us, but we will not allow this to happen.  Our hope, togetherness and unity will always beat hate, and those who seek to divide us.

“The Great Get Together is a timely opportunity to reject divisions and, instead, bring people together and celebrate all that unites us.”

Inspired by MP Jo Cox, who was tragically murdered last year, The Great Get Together aims to bring together communities, neighbours, pupils and friends to share and celebrate all that we hold in common.

The Welsh Government has written to schools and councils to encourage them to get involved in events, which will take place across the country between 16 – 18 June.

On 16 June, the First Minister is attending CBI Wales’ annual lunch, which is being held in honour of Jo Cox. Details of further activities and events will be released in the coming weeks.

The First Minister added:

“From the tragedy of Jo’s death, The Great Get Together was created to bring all of us together to celebrate what we share and hold in common.

“I’m proud to be supporting The Great Get Together and encourage people from right across Wales to get involved.”

Brendan Cox said:

“I’m humbled and touched by the way the people of Wales have united behind the idea of The Great Get Together. Many events are being hosted all across Wales – from a Theatr Clwyd picnic in North Wales to the Scouts and Girl-guides combining forces in Carmarthen, and a sing along in Cardiff Bay, the spirit of The Great Get Together will be captured in so many different ways.

“When people seek to divide us and drive communities apart we show our strength by rejecting hatred and coming together with a determination never to let the extremists win.”

People can visit www.greatgettogether.org to find out more about the thousands of activities taking place across the country – ranging from street parties to BBQs, dog shows to scarecrow festivals, bake-offs to multi-faith Iftars to break the Ramadan fast.

The investment at its Caerphilly facility is supported by £50,000 from the Welsh Government’s Growth and Prosperity Fund and will create ten jobs and safeguard a further 56. The project costs to fit out the facility with machinery and equipment are part of a wider £600K cap ex investment the company is making. 

The new ISO standards for the testing of mattresses and overlays used in treatment encompass all mattresses used in hospitals including trolley and theatre mattresses as well as mattresses used in patients’ homes.

The global standards are expected to come into operation this year with the only testing facility currently available based in the USA.

Direct Healthcare Services (DHS) will work closely with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre to create the new facility to ensure all its products comply with the new standards and ensure it retains its market leading position. The independent European testing facility will be available for use by other companies.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“DHS is a Welsh success story, founded in 2009 with just three members of staff it now employs more than 100 people and is the largest volume supplier of mattresses to the NHS and rapidly growing their international exports with an office in Australia.

“Innovation is at the heart of DHS’ success and this is a key expansion project that will ensure its continued growth. DHS is a valued member of the growing Welsh cluster of wound care companies – a priority sub sector for life sciences and I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this investment.”

Skills and Science Minister, Julie James, added: 

“Wales’ life sciences sector has gone from strength to strength over recent years, punching well above its weight on a global stage, and this success would not be possible without companies such as Direct Healthcare Services continuing to innovate.

“We are committed to supporting growth of this economically important sector in Wales and today’s expansion announcement from DHS is further evidence of this.”

Graham Ewart, Managing Director at DHS said, 

“DHS have consistently been an early adopter of regulatory and compliance directives so it makes good sense that we open and operate an independent testing facility to assure compliance to the new global ISO standard. As a Welsh business we are delighted to have the support of the Welsh Government and the commitment and expertise of WWIC as an operating partner.”

DHS is the fastest growing manufacturer in its field in the UK with a comprehensive range of products and an extensive intellectual property portfolio winning the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2016 and 2017. In collaboration with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre (WWIC), it has developed a number of revolutionary new products. 

The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre is based near DHS’s facility, which will enable customers from around the world that visit WWIC to view the research and test facility at the same time.

It would promote Wales as a world leader, not only in pressure ulcer research at WWIC, but also in the associated product testing at DHS.