Officials say thousands of jobs could come to borough

Thirty companies are in active discussion with Swindon Borough Council about setting up in the borough, potentially bringing thousands of jobs, councillors have been told.

Swindon Borough Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins briefed members on the authority’s Build a Better Swindon policy and performance committee about the work of the inward investment team at Euclid Street.

Last week Cllr Robbins told his cabinet colleagues that it had been a difficult decision to set up the team shortly after Labour came to power in May 2023, given the council’s financial straits. But his report to the committee said it was paying off.

He said: “The team has already brought 1,400 new jobs to Swindon and the inward investment pipeline is one of the strongest we’ve seen in years – it has 30 active projects on the go, with the potential of thousands of high-quality jobs coming.

“We are seeing a level of interest that many other places would really envy.”

Cllr Robins highlighted the arrivals of defence drone manufacturers Stark and Tekever, with other companies in the sector also announcing they were coming to the borough.

Five drone-makers have already set up here or said they will, with another four on their way according to an announcement Cllr Robbins made at last week’s cabinet meeting.

The speed with which Panattoni is developing the old Honda site, and the level of interest shown in moving there was mentioned, with Cllr Robbins saying: “I’m not good at keeping secrets, but I can’t tell you here.”

And Swindon might also be in the running to get the Open University to come as well.

Asked by Councillor Abdul Amin about whether there was any prospect of higher education provision increasing, Cllr Robbins said: “We have a bid in with the government which is specifically around skills in the defence industries.

“Devolution will give us some opportunities with investments into specific skills.”

Cllr Robbins said the council was in conversations with a range of institutions: “Bristol, Bath, UWE, Bath Spa, The Open University, Oxford. We’re talking to everyone and seeing what the options are.

He added: “Based on the way higher education funding is going, it’s unlikely we’ll get a stand-alone University of Swindon, but we could easily generate lots of different bits of existing universities to come here and open courses.

“The Open University model is an interesting one: they still focus on distance learning, but they are looking at having a number of hubs around the country. Because Swindon is classed as a cold spot for higher education, we are in the running for one of those hubs.

“The Open University is keen to come and talk to us and I think we expect to have an event planned for just after the election.”

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Pilgrim’s UK shut down operations at the Dukinfield site back in 2023.

A massive food factory in Dukinfield will be demolished, three years after it shut its doors. Pilgrim’s UK, one of Britain’s largest pork providers, shut down operations at the Bow Street site back in 2023.

Now plans to demolish the vacant factory, on the border of Dukinfield and Ashton, have been approved by Tameside council. It is expected that demolition work will start at the end of this month and take 14 weeks to complete.

All the warehouse buildings within the site boundary will be razed to the ground as part of the scheme.

It is anticipated that a full planning application for a new warehouse will be tabled by applicants OREP Fund Propco 1 Limited in the coming months. Planning papers suggest this application would form part of a redevelopment of the industrial site.

Planning papers read: “We write on behalf of our client, OREP Fund Propco 1 Limited, to submit information for a prior approval application for the demolition of the existing buildings and structures on the Former Pilgrim’s UK premises, Bow Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

“It is proposed that the existing buildings and structures on the site would be demolished starting on March 31, 2026 with a full planning application to redevelop the site for new industrial / warehouse buildings to follow.”

There was uproar locally when the major pork provider first mooted the factory closure in May 2023 – putting 542 jobs at risk. Local residents, councillors and Ashton MP Angela Rayner all expressed shock at what felt like a sudden decision at the time.

In a statement issued back in 2023, Rachel Baldwin, Vice President of Human Resources, Pilgrim’s UK, said: “The decision to propose the closure of our Ashton site has not been taken lightly and we have made every effort to explore alternative options.

“A key part of our work to return to growth includes ensuring we fully optimise our operational footprint and the age and location of Ashton within a densely populated area means that there is no feasible opportunity to modernise or grow the site.

“As a result, these proposals are unfortunately essential to ensure a sustainable future for our team members across the UK.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

The British Business Bank research also shows a sharp fall in the value of reported equity deals in Wales

The number of equity deals and their value have fallen sharply in Wales, shows new research from the British Business Bank. According to its latest Small Business Finance Markets report, in the first three-quarters of 2025 there were 26 reported equity deals, a fall of 53% on the same period in 2024 when 55 deals were confirmed.

The fall in percentage terms was the highest of any UK nation or region. The only nations or regions to experience a year-on-year rise were Northern Ireland, up 35%, west Midlands, up 6% and Yorkshire and the Humber, up 4%. For the UK as whole there was a fall of 23% to 1,238 deals. While down 27% year-on-year, London accounted for 46% of total UK deals, followed by Scotland 11% and the south east of England, 9%.

The number of deal in Wales, based on research by Beauhurst, made up 2% of total UK deal, compared to 3% in 2024.

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The 26 equity investments had a combined value of £23m, compared to £62m a year earlier – a fall of 63%. The Welsh deals on value made up just 0.3% of the UK total of £7bn. In 2024 the contribution was higher at 0.7% of the total UK value of deals of £8bn.

For the UK as whole the value of deal was down 20% of the first three-quarters of 2025. London dominated on with 60% of the UK total(£4.1bn), followed by Scotland with 11% (£757m).

The report also shows that at the start of 2025, there were 194,200 businesses in Wales – compared to 220,200 at the start of 2024, accounting for 3% of the UK total of 5.69 million. The fall of 12% in the Welsh business population, contrasted with modest growth across much of the UK. The decline was largely driven by a reduction in unregistered businesses without employees, differing from the UK-wide trend where growth in the business population was supported by increases in this segment.

In 2025, there was 10,245 business births in Wales, representing 3% of the UK total of 314,000). Welsh business creation levels remained among the lowest in the UK. Its recorded enterprise rate of 742 businesses per 10,000 adults was around half the level seen in London (1,436) and below most UK nations and regions. Across the UK overall, start-up activity showed modest improvement overall, with 314,000 new businesses created in 2025, up 1% year-on-year.

The five-year survival rate for Welsh businesses founded in 2019 stood at 38%, matching the UK average, but ranking joint third lowest among UK nations and regions. Survival outcomes varied widely across the UK, with the highest rates recorded in the South West (44%) and Northern Ireland (43%).

Smaller businesses continue to play a significant role in Wales’s economy, accounting for 74% of total private sector employment – the second highest proportion among UK nations and regions, behind Northern Ireland (77%).

Employment in Wales is spread across a wide range of firm sizes, with the largest share concentrated in businesses employing fewer than 50 people, highlighting the importance of smaller firms to job creation and economic activity across the country.

Overall UK lending markets showed signs of gradual improvement, with gross SME bank lending increasing by 9% to £68bn in 2025. Across the UK, challenger and specialist banks continued to expand their role in smaller business lending, accounting for 60% of gross SME bank lending in 2025.

Susan Nightingale, director, UK network, devolved nations at the British Business Bank – the economic development bank of the UK Government – said: “Smaller businesses remain fundamental to Wales’s economy, particularly as employers across communities and sectors. The findings in this year’s report highlight the pressures many businesses continue to face in a challenging economic environment including reduced investment activity and slower business creation.

”The British Business Bank is committed to improving access to finance and supporting innovation-led growth across Wales. Through initiatives such as the Investment Fund for Wales, we are helping ambitious businesses access the funding they need to scale and build resilience for the future.

“The fund recently completed its largest investment to date – a £3.5m equity investment into industrial services firm Advantiv – marking an important milestone and supporting the company’s expansion, new UK locations and operational innovation.”

Rap legend Lil Wayne is returning to central Iowa this summer as part of his “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour, celebrating two decades of his influential Tha Carter album series. The New Orleans native will perform at the Casey’s Center in downtown Des Moines on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., bringing high-energy hits and fan favorites to the venue.

The announcement, part of an expanded North American leg revealed in mid-March 2026, follows Lil Wayne’s recent additions to his touring schedule. Variety, Pitchfork, Consequence and JamBase reported the new dates, highlighting the tour’s focus on classics from Tha Carter, Tha Carter II and beyond. The Des Moines stop slots between other Midwest shows, including Chicago on July 17 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island and Shakopee, Minnesota, on July 18 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

This marks Lil Wayne’s second major appearance in Des Moines in recent years. He previously headlined what was then Wells Fargo Arena — now rebranded as part of the Iowa Events Center complex — on April 11, 2024, delivering a dynamic set that included shoutouts to local star Caitlin Clark and drew enthusiastic crowds. Fans praised the performance for its intensity and Lil Wayne’s rapid-fire delivery.

The Casey’s Center, a premier venue within the Iowa Events Center, has hosted major acts like Paul McCartney, Eric Church and Elton John. Capacity varies by configuration but typically accommodates large concerts with strong sightlines and acoustics.

Tickets for the July 16 show go on sale Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time. Primary sales will occur through Hy-VeeTix.com, the official ticketing partner for the Iowa Events Center, and at the Casey’s Center box office when open. Citi cardmembers may access a presale starting earlier — details are listed as “coming soon” on the Hy-VeeTix event page.

For those seeking tickets, start at Hy-VeeTix.com by searching for “Lil Wayne” or navigating to the Casey’s Center events calendar. The site offers interactive seating charts, allowing fans to select specific sections and view prices in real time. General admission or reserved seating options are expected, with prices varying based on demand and location.

Secondary marketplaces like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and Gametime also list or will soon feature inventory for the Des Moines date. These platforms often provide last-minute options or resale tickets, though prices may exceed face value due to fees and demand. SeatGeek and Vivid Seats emphasize buyer guarantees and price comparisons, with some Lil Wayne tickets across his 2026 tour starting around $123 on secondary sites, though Des Moines-specific pricing remains to be seen.

To maximize chances of securing tickets:

– Create accounts in advance on Hy-VeeTix and any preferred resale sites to speed up checkout.
– Join Lil Wayne’s official fan club or mailing list via his website or social media for potential presale codes.
– Monitor Ticketmaster.com, where Lil Wayne’s broader tour is listed, as some dates route through the platform.
– Arrive early for online sales, as popular shows can sell out quickly during onsale rushes.
– Consider VIP packages if offered, which may include premium seating, exclusive merchandise or meet-and-greet opportunities — past Lil Wayne tours featured VIP merch bundles with front-row access.

Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., remains one of hip-hop’s most prolific artists, with 15 studio albums, multiple Grammys and a catalog spanning trap anthems, introspective tracks and collaborations. The “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour spotlights material from his breakthrough Tha Carter era, which revolutionized Southern rap and influenced generations. Recent shows have included special guests on select dates, though openers for Des Moines have not been announced.

Fans in Des Moines can expect a set heavy on classics like “Go D.J.,” “Fireman,” “Lollipop,” “A Milli” and “6 Foot 7 Foot,” alongside deeper cuts from the Carter series. Lil Wayne’s live performances are known for high energy, rapid flows and crowd interaction, often extending beyond scheduled times.

The tour extension reflects strong demand following initial 2025-2026 announcements. Lil Wayne has maintained a busy schedule with festival appearances, including BottleRock Napa Valley in May 2026, and continues to release music and collaborate.

For those unable to attend in person, check local radio stations or streaming platforms for potential live broadcasts or post-show coverage. Iowa Events Center officials recommend arriving early for parking and entry, with clear bag policies and standard venue rules in place.

As excitement builds for Lil Wayne’s return, Des Moines rap fans have a prime opportunity to experience one of hip-hop’s icons celebrating his legacy live. Secure tickets promptly through official channels to avoid missing out on what promises to be a memorable night.

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Its ability to accelerate passenger numbers will hinge on the outcome of legal challenge by Bristol Airport over Welsh Government £205m subsidy support plans

Cardiff Airport achieved a near 10% rise in passengers last year, but still remains well below its pre-pandemic level.

The Rhoose-based airport, which is wholly-owned by the Welsh Government, welcomed 963,000 passengers in 2025, up 9% on 2024, with a 4% rise in air traffic movements. The airport said the increase was supported by significant growth from Ryanair and TUI. Cargo volumes, supported by a new base from European Cargo, experienced a 7% increase .

The airport is also continuing to invest in route development, with further new services planned for this year and 2027.

Ryanair is set to operate its busiest ever summer, marking 12 years of operations at the airport. Extra frequency has been added across its five routes, For the summer season TUI will base a fourth aircraft at Cardiff, bringing increased frequencies to Antalya, Enfidha, Gran Canaria, Palma and Tenerife and new routes to Faro and Hurghada.

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Further TUI growth is planned for the 2026-27 winter season, with new services to Kittilä (Finland) and the Dominican Republic.

Canadian low cost carrier WestJet, from May 23, will launch a new four-times-weekly service from the airport to Toronto Pearson – the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It connects to all major Canadian cities, as well as the US cities of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Dallas. For its inaugural 2026 summer season the route has released 21,320 seats for sale. Both Cardiff Airport and WestJet said they are “pleased with the sales performance to date.”

KLM continues to operate twice-daily services to Amsterdam, providing global hub connectivity. Moreover, Vueling continues services to Malaga and Alicante.

The airport said that PandO Cruises has expanded its fly-cruise programme with additional flights to Barbados and a new destination. The airport wouldn’t be drawn on providing a projected passenger figure for 2026.

Last month a legal challenge brought by Bristol Airport against Welsh Government plans to provide further subsidy support to the airport over a ten year period of £205m was heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Around £100m of the subsidy has been earmarked for route development. Long-term the airport is aiming to get back to two million passengers. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, the airport attracted 1.6 million passengers. Its subsidy support is expected to be framed at attracting routes, including more longhaul alongside WestJet, currently not served by Bristol.

As well as being deployed to attract new routes, the subsidy support will also be used to diversify away from passenger-related revenues. The airport is targeting areas such as aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and freight.

Bristol Airport, which in 2025 saw its passenger numbers dwarf Cardiff’s – at 10.8 million, of which around two million are drawn from South Wales – argues that the proposed funding breaches the post-EU state aid regime under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. It says the funding represents unprecedented state support for a UK airport and will put it at a commercial disadvantage relative to its nearest rival.

The Welsh Government’s position is that the airport is not a failing enterprise and that it plays a vital role in supporting the wider Welsh economy. An economic assessment by Grant Thornton estimates it generates a £220m gross value added positive impact on the Welsh economy through the airport’s direct, indirect and induced impacts.

Its subsidy support is expected to be framed at attracting routes, including more longhaul alongside WestJet, currently not served by Bristol.

A judgment from the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which would be subject to appeal, is not expected this side of the Senedd Election in May.

With the £52m acquisition cost of acquiring the airport from Spanish firm Abertis back in 2013, it has invested nearly £200m, with a significant element of repayable loans converted into equity.

The airport, in its last financial year to the end of March 2025, show its revenues improve from £19.33m a year earlier to £19.8m, while on a pre-Ebitda basis (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation) and exceptional items it posted a positive £5.7m. However, when factoring in the receipt of an £11.8m Welsh Government grant linked to a five-year post-Covid recovery plan, the Ebitda figure slipped into the red at £5.57m.

Since being acquired by the Welsh Government the airport has accumulated losses of around £60m.

In March last year former airport chief executive Spencer Birns quit his role. The accounts show he received a £151,088 payment, approved by the airport’s remuneration committee, in lieu of notice. No reason for his departure from what was a £131,000 role was given.

The airport’s current chief executive is Jon Bridge, having taken up his role last November. He is a former chief executive of SA Brain and Co.