Insight on Brexit for business planned

How to navigate Brexit will be on the agenda at a special business summit.

As part of Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month, former Bank of England economist Neil Ashbridge (pictured) will be giving his insights on Brexit and how exporting businesses can prepare.

The event, run in conjunction with West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce (WCNWCC), is being held at the OpTIC Centre, on St Asaph Business Park on March 20.

Mr Ashbridge, who worked for the Bank of England for 42 years and sits on the chamber’s board of directors, will also speak to businesses on a one-to-one basis during the event.

He said: “Businesses want the UK Government and the EU Commission to reach agreement as soon as possible.  Increased bureaucracy moving goods and services across borders with the EU is a concern to businesses.

“Businesses need to plan ahead using various scenarios, identify risks with each and consider ways of mitigating those risks. 

“For those that trade externally, Brexit should be seen as an opportunity to broaden trading links - one of the reasons for leaving the Customs Union is to allow the UK to focus globally, rather than as has been the case over the last 30 to 40 years, on trade with the EU.  Growth in world trade will come from emerging markets in the long term.”

The event will also feature a chance for networking as well as information on services provided by WCNWCC, including certification services and bespoke training for new and experienced exporters.

Cllr Hugh Evans, OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “Brexit is an issue that will impact a number of Denbighshire businesses.

“Offering this summit as part of March for Business will give businesses all the information they need to make the right choices moving forward.

“It is important we support our county’s traders by giving them training and advice which will help their businesses grow, and help create jobs for our residents.”

March for Business is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, which includes a number of high priority projects to help businesses succeed.

It features 23 varied events offering almost 100 hours of content at venues across the county.

For more information on the free event visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness

Latest county snow update ...

Latest snow update from the county council, issued at 9.25am Friday:  

Roads closed:

·         A5104 Corwen to Llandegla

·         B4401 Corwen to Llandrillo

·         Horseshoe Pass 

·         Road  across the Denbigh Moors between Bylchau and Pentrefoelas. 

However, all main primary routes are passable with extreme care needed.

We have advised the public to only travel if absolutely necessary and if they do need to travel, they should consider delaying their journey, so that everyone is not travelling the same time this morning.

Schools:

All schools in Denbighshire are closed today.

Public Transport:

Arriva: Most services running but expect delays. Currently, we are notified of problems as follows:

51/X51 running Rhyl to Ruthin only. Not operating to Wrexham. Also not diverting via Brookehouse or Llanrhaeadr village.

Arriva reports no issues on 11s Rhyl to Chester or 12s Rhyl to Llandudno but these may be subject to delay.

Lloyd’s Coaches: T3 currently suspended.

M & H Coaches: No services on X51, 66 and 76.

Stagecoach 1/X1/2 Ruthin - Mold - Chester

Buses operating but expect delays. Llanarmon, Eryrys, Graianrhyd, Maeshafan not being served.

Coastline 55/X5 Ruthin - Corwen - Llangollen - Wrexham operating but expect delays. Not serving Llanfair DC/Eyarth.

Libraries:

Llangollen Library is closed today.

 

Snow update from county

The county council has this morning issued the following snow update:

The following roads are closed: 

·         A5104 Corwen to Llandegla

·         B4401 Corwen to Llandrillo

·         Horseshoe Pass 

·         Road  across the Denbigh Moors between Bylchau and Pentrefoelas. 

All main primary routes are passable with extreme care needed.

We would advise that people should only travel if absolutely necessary and if they do need to travel, they should consider delaying their journey, so that everyone is not travelling the same time this morning.

Due to the challenging conditions, our primary focus was on keeping the main A and B routes open as much as possible overnight.

All three schools closed today

According to the county council's website, all three Llangollen schools - Ysgol Dinas Bran, Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant - will remain closed until Monday due to the weather. 

Weather latest from the county council

Here’s the latest position with the snow in Denbighshire issued by the county council.

Roads

Gritting teams have been out and about overnight and continue to be out this morning treating the county’s roads.  The majority of the major road network is open, but the A542 Horseshoe Pass between Llandegla and Llangollen is closed.

Schools

The following schools are closed for the day.

·         Carrog

·         Caer Drewyn (Corwen)

·         Bro Elwern (Gwyddelwern)

·         Betws GG

·         Llanfair DC

·         Dyffryn Ial (Llandegla)

·         Bryn Collen (Llangollen)

·         Y Gwernant (Llangollen)

·         Dinas Bran (Llangollen)

·         Brynhyfryd (Ruthin)

·         Carreg Emlyn

·         Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy

Public Transport

It seems there are no issues general regarding public transport at this moment in time.  The only change is to the number 91 Uwch y Dre to Llangollen service. The service is running but will not operate through Melin y Wig and Betws GG.

Refuse and recycling collections

Waste collections are continuing in Llangollen, Eryrys, Llandegla and Llanarmon-yn-Iâl . It is expected around three quarters of the 4,000 properties due for collection will have their waste collected today. Collections are proving difficult in isolated and higher lying areas due to icy conditions. Residents are advised that catch-up collections are due to take place on Monday and Tuesday. Householders can leave their bins out until then or put them back out for Monday. 

Ysgol Dinas Bran closed due to weather

According to the county council website, Ysgol Dinas Bran is closed today (Thursday) due to the weather.

Ysgol Bryn Collen is also now closed because of the weather, says the council's website.

New film highlights best of North Wales

A new film showcasing the North East Wales region has been released today (1 March) as part of Visit Wales’ Year of the Sea campaign.

Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire have joined forces to produce the film to inspire new visitors to experience North East Wales’ Routes to the Sea.

Funded by Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, the film explores the region’s visitor offer from inland to the coast; highlighting the cycle routes, coastal path, heritage, and beaches as well as activities including paragliding and horse riding in Talacre.

The variety of outdoor water based experiences available in the area are also featured including sailing, fishing, sea swimming, stand up paddle boarding and water skiing.

Tourism plays a vital part in the regions’ economy, with a total economic impact in 2016 of £848m and over 11 million visits made.

Tourism Minister, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “In 2018 we’re celebrating Wales’ outstanding coastline, and inviting visitors to discover new epic experiences all around our shores, with special events and attractions throughout the year. I’m delighted that Visit Wales funding has enabled the North East to work together in order to strengthen awareness and showcase some of the area’s inspiring journeys to the coast this year.”

Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Partnership said: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the film, we hope it will inspire visitors to experience some of our water based and coastal activities. Key investments in our coastal resorts, such as the developments in Rhyl, will help increase awareness and visitor footfall to the region and create jobs that will boost the local economy.”

This film is the start of a series of new mini films which will be released throughout the year, featuring different themes including walking, cycling, wildlife, heritage, food & drink, beaches, as well as outdoor water activities.

A series of blogs and Year of the Sea professional images will also be released to help draw new and repeat visits to the region.

Follow Films Co-Founder Graham Cooper, who produced the films, said: “This has been a fantastic project to work on over the past few months, I’ve lived in North East Wales all my life, but working on projects like this reminds me how lucky we are to live in this area. I find so many new, amazing activities whilst producing films like this, and the passion businesses have for North East Wales is great to see.”

* To view the film and for further information on the places and activities featured in the film, please visit www.northeastwales.wales