Economy

Russell George has been elected

Russell George elected chairman of small shop group

Plans to extend the former Laura Ashley distribution centre in Newtown have been approved. Pic from Google Streetview.

Plans to extend the former Laura Ashley distribution centre in Newtown have been approved. Pic from Google Streetview.

Powys County Council

New jobs expected as plan to extend Newtown factory approved

Catering and retail operations at NRW's three visitor centres, including Bwlch Nant yr Arian, are to cease. Credit: Laurence Hammerton.

Catering and retail operations at NRW's three visitor centres, including Bwlch Nant yr Arian, are to cease. Credit: Laurence Hammerton.

1

Natural Resources Wales confirms closure of visitor centres and job cuts plan

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her first Budget (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her first Budget (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Letter: Chancellor’s ‘creative accounting’ risks country’s financial future

Opinion: Banks leaving Powys should remember they were saved by tax payers

Opinion: Banks leaving Powys should remember they were saved by tax payers

Opinion: Banks leaving Powys should remember they were saved by tax payers

The sign accused the councils of turning Newtown into a

The sign accused the councils of turning Newtown into a

Letter: It is not the national chains who abandoned Newtown town centre

One reader has hit out at working from home.

One reader has hit out at working from home.

Letter: There is now a shortage of labour but huge numbers not actually working

The Dark Lane toilets in Rhayader

The Dark Lane toilets in Rhayader

Public toilets shut for eight weeks - and then you'll have to pay to use them

House prices fell in Powys in 2024.

House prices fell in Powys in 2024.

Powys becomes second cheapest authority in Wales for house prices

Knighton town centre.

Knighton town centre.

1

£60,000 funding to help make Powys town more attractive place to visit

Notes carrying the portrait of King Charles III will be issued for the first time on June 5

Notes carrying the portrait of King Charles III will be issued for the first time on June 5

A major change to banknotes is being introduced this week

Out of 318 local authority areas covered in a study, Powys scored 0.11 out of 10, scored in the bottom 10 for every factor, and spent the second-most to heat their homes and the fifth-highest amount on hot water

Out of 318 local authority areas covered in a study, Powys scored 0.11 out of 10, scored in the bottom 10 for every factor, and spent the second-most to heat their homes and the fifth-highest amount on hot water

Powys households named the least energy efficient in the country

Penbont House is situated in the heart of the stunning Elan Valley.

Penbont House is situated in the heart of the stunning Elan Valley.

Popular Powys tea rooms Penbont House shuts for final time today

Powys residents are being badly hit by the cost of living crisis.

Powys residents are being badly hit by the cost of living crisis.

Cost of renting a home in Powys sees big rise

Customers are angry at a massive bill increase.

Customers are angry at a massive bill increase.

Letter: Water firm is trying to incentivise customers to have a metered supply

Craig Goch dam in the Elan Valley, Powys, in full flow again. Picture: Jonathan Rudd

Craig Goch dam in the Elan Valley, Powys, in full flow again. Picture: Jonathan Rudd

1

£21 million Elan Valley transformation project step nearer to reality

Water rates have increased this month.

Water rates have increased this month.

Letter: Our water rates have not been hiked 19 per cent but 41 per cent

Rhayader Carnival celebrates its 120th event this year, yet it might not live to see if after a drastic shortfall in funding. Pic by Ruth Rees Photography

Rhayader Carnival celebrates its 120th event this year, yet it might not live to see if after a drastic shortfall in funding. Pic by Ruth Rees Photography

Fears for Powys carnival's future as organisers reveal funding shortfall

Andrew Davies and Amy Greaves of Smart Money Cymru.

Andrew Davies and Amy Greaves of Smart Money Cymru.

Banking hub moves into newly refurbished Powys town centre premises

A report has targeted 14 specific areas where specialist residents parking will come into force or additional parking restrictions will be implemented, including Broad Street and High Street in the town centre. Picture by Radnorshire Police/Twitter

A report has targeted 14 specific areas where specialist residents parking will come into force or additional parking restrictions will be implemented, including Broad Street and High Street in the town centre. Picture by Radnorshire Police/Twitter

Powys town residents have just one week to voice opinions on parking overhaul

Food prices were the main reason for the fall in inflation according to the ONS

Food prices were the main reason for the fall in inflation according to the ONS

UK inflation falls to 3.4 per cent, the lowest level in more than two years

The decision to close Penbont House has sparked uproar locally and on social media – nearly 300 people reacted to the tea rooms’ initial post, which attracted 184 comments.

The decision to close Penbont House has sparked uproar locally and on social media – nearly 300 people reacted to the tea rooms’ initial post, which attracted 184 comments.

Closure of Powys tea room will go ahead in May, despite public anger

William Watkins, founder of Radnor Hills.

William Watkins, founder of Radnor Hills.

Powys soft drinks firm Radnor Hills up for top Wales food and drink award

The festival returns to the Royal Welsh Showground on May 18 and 19.

The festival returns to the Royal Welsh Showground on May 18 and 19.

Entries now open for agricultural society's first event of the year

Live at the Wyeside attracted around 400 people to the Wyeside Arts Centre.

Live at the Wyeside attracted around 400 people to the Wyeside Arts Centre.

Performers show their love for Powys venue as arts cuts bite

Penbont House, in the Elan Valley, has sadly announced it will close in May.

Penbont House, in the Elan Valley, has sadly announced it will close in May.

1

Powys B&B and tea room in one of Wales' greatest beauty spots closing down

The 120th anniversary celebration was sponsored by MP Fay Jones, pictured here with chief executive Aled Rhys Jones (l) and chair of the board of directors Professor Wynne Jones.

The 120th anniversary celebration was sponsored by MP Fay Jones, pictured here with chief executive Aled Rhys Jones (l) and chair of the board of directors Professor Wynne Jones.

Show chiefs visit Houses of Parliament, where society was born 120 years ago

Welsh workers are being hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.

Welsh workers are being hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.

Cost of living crisis

Cost of living crisis is hitting Welsh workers harder than the rest of the UK

The UK slipped into recession at the end of last year after a weak December for the country's economy

The UK slipped into recession at the end of last year after a weak December for the country's economy

UK falls into recession after economy shrank again at the end of 2023

Builth's Wyeside Arts Centre is fighting for its future.

Builth's Wyeside Arts Centre is fighting for its future.

Event to be held in bid to keep beloved Powys arts centre open

Barclays is shutting up shop in Builth on March 6. The alleyway on the left is all that separates it from High Street Stores & Builth Wells Post Office.

Barclays is shutting up shop in Builth on March 6. The alleyway on the left is all that separates it from High Street Stores & Builth Wells Post Office.

Shop could move in once Powys' last Barclays branch closes

Customers in the Welshpool, Newtown, Llanidloes, Llanfyllin and Knighton areas will see their bills shoot from £362 to £433.

Customers in the Welshpool, Newtown, Llanidloes, Llanfyllin and Knighton areas will see their bills shoot from £362 to £433.

Welsh Water Dwr Cymru

Powys residents are facing a £71 rise in their water bills from April

This reader has warned about pending 'reality' hitting Brexiteers.

This reader has warned about pending 'reality' hitting Brexiteers.

10

Letter: The reality of Brexit is about to bite us all very hard indeed

Welsh Government plans to alter the school holidays in Wales will seriously impact the Royal Welsh Show - but also other events, as well as scores of people.

Welsh Government plans to alter the school holidays in Wales will seriously impact the Royal Welsh Show - but also other events, as well as scores of people.

Royal Welsh Show

1

Changes to summer holidays will cause 'enormous' disruption, say Show chiefs

Food inflation also slowed, to 6.1% in January from December’s 6.7%, the ninth consecutive fall

Food inflation also slowed, to 6.1% in January from December’s 6.7%, the ninth consecutive fall

Shop price inflation falls to lowest figures since May 2022

The Royal Welsh Show is set to take place from July 22-25, 2024, but in 2026, it could be held during the school term in Wales.

The Royal Welsh Show is set to take place from July 22-25, 2024, but in 2026, it could be held during the school term in Wales.

1

Calls to scrap school holidays changes as Powys show chiefs fear £1m loss

Surprise rise in UK inflation driven by increased alcohol and tobacco prices

Surprise rise in UK inflation driven by increased alcohol and tobacco prices

Surprise rise in UK inflation driven by increased alcohol and tobacco prices

Powys County Council is committed to reducing the amount it spends on running The Gwalia by £30,000 in 2024/25 and by £100,000 in 2025/26.

Powys County Council is committed to reducing the amount it spends on running The Gwalia by £30,000 in 2024/25 and by £100,000 in 2025/26.

Powys County Council

1

Council looking at disposing of iconic Powys town building in bid to cut costs

The Royal Welsh Show fears a £1 million revenue loss if plans to reduce the school summer holidays in Wales by a week.

The Royal Welsh Show fears a £1 million revenue loss if plans to reduce the school summer holidays in Wales by a week.

2

Shorter school summer holiday 'would cost Royal Welsh Show £1 MILLION'

A new promotional video about Rhayader, branded ‘the Outdoors Capital of Wales’, has been narrated by Charlotte Church.

A new promotional video about Rhayader, branded ‘the Outdoors Capital of Wales’, has been narrated by Charlotte Church.

Charlotte Church

WATCH: Charlotte Church narrates new video inviting visitors to Powys

Wigwam Holidays Builth Wells was named best glamping site in Mid Wales, beating off competition from around 590 others.

Wigwam Holidays Builth Wells was named best glamping site in Mid Wales, beating off competition from around 590 others.

Joy for Powys glamping site as it is named best in Mid Wales

Volunteers picking food parcels at Llandrindod Foodbank.

Volunteers picking food parcels at Llandrindod Foodbank.

£100K funding will help Powys foodbank achieve dream of transforming premises

Impelo's 'Break Out! Breakin' session in Llandrindod.

Impelo's 'Break Out! Breakin' session in Llandrindod.

Loss of Powys dance charity would have 'devastating impact' on communities

Cutting the ribbon on Welshpool's Bank Hub.

Cutting the ribbon on Welshpool's Bank Hub.

2

Letter: Welshpool's new banking hub is inaccessible to the disabled

The Builth branch will become a Barclays Local that will be a cashless site where customers can get financial advice.

The Builth branch will become a Barclays Local that will be a cashless site where customers can get financial advice.

3

Council left in the dark as it blasts 'shameful' decision to shut bank

Barclays in Builth Wells is set to close in March next year

Barclays in Builth Wells is set to close in March next year

Barclays to close last Powys branch next year and replace it with pop up service

The Northern Lights in the Cambrian Mountains.

The Northern Lights in the Cambrian Mountains.

Cambrian Mountains

Sign up to WhatsApp group and enjoy the northern lights in Powys

2

LETTER: Council tax is deeply unfair - even Thatcher's poll tax was better

Council tax bill

Council tax bill

How you could be affected as Welsh Government plans major Council Tax reform

The new Asda Express in Llanelwedd

The new Asda Express in Llanelwedd

Asda admits loyalty cards have not been working in new Powys store

John Ewens bought the Powys town’s store in late 2019.

John Ewens bought the Powys town’s store in late 2019.

Powys shop expands and improves energy efficiency thanks to £100K loan

The Abermule end of Newtown bypass.

The Abermule end of Newtown bypass.

4

Letter: Bypass could also be to blame for the demise of Newtown town centre

Builth Wells' Caer Beris Manor is reopening, but only as a private residence for exclusive hire.

Builth Wells' Caer Beris Manor is reopening, but only as a private residence for exclusive hire.

Beloved Powys hotel to reopen for exclusive hire – but restaurant won't return

The Castle in Rhayader will reopen at 3pm this Friday, November 3.

The Castle in Rhayader will reopen at 3pm this Friday, November 3.

Popular Powys pub set to reopen its doors as new landlord takes on role