Kronospan gets £622,000 from government to safeguard jobs

* Inside the Kronspan factory in Chirk.

Hundreds of jobs at Chirk-based manufacturer Kronospan have been safeguarded with help from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

The company, which supplies wood-based panel products, is a key employer in North East Wales with more than 620 workers.

Kronospan experienced a dramatic reduction in sales as a result of the pandemic and the subsequent interruptions to cash flow, which left the company facing an extremely challenging period.

It received £622,000 from the Welsh Government’s ERF, which has helped the business continue to operate through the pandemic and ultimately protect the workforce.

The ERF, which is part of the Welsh Government’s £1.7bn support package for businesses, is providing thousands of companies across Wales with significant financial support. It complements the help provided by the UK Government.

To date, more than 13,000 businesses have received financial support worth more than £280m and the fund has helped protect more than 75,000 jobs.

Ben Spruce, chief financial officer of Kronospan, said:“The assistance provided by Welsh Government has helped us protect jobs and support our local suppliers.

“It has been a difficult period for everyone and we are extremely grateful to our entire team, both those who have worked throughout and those who were furloughed and have now returned.

“The support received demonstrates to us the proactive approach Welsh Government has taken during this crisis to support businesses, protect jobs and help the regional economy build back stronger.”

Deputy Minister for Economy, Lee Waters said: “Kronospan is an important employer in North East Wales and I’m pleased we have been able to provide crucial financial assistance at a time when the company needed it most, helping protect hundreds of jobs.

“Coronavirus has placed incredibly difficult challenges on our business community and our immediate response has been to try and protect companies, jobs and livelihoods through an unprecedented package of support, delivered at pace, worth £1.7bn.

“Our Economic Resilience Fund has been a key part of that and absolutely essential in supporting thousands of businesses across Wales in dealing with the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

County council signs are reminder to keep your distance

* One of the county council signs on Castle Street. 

A series of signs have been placed across Denbighshire as part of a visual reminder for people to continue to social distance when they’re visiting town centres.

The signs have been installed as part of a wider campaign to encourage more people to visit town centres safely.

In June, the county council set up a Task Group to support town centre businesses during and after the re-opening of shops, working jointly with business associations and local communities. 

The council also has teams out and about in our main town centres, monitoring compliance with safety guidelines, as well as offering practical support to businesses, such as signage or posters.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “For more than three months, town centres - the heart of many of our communities - stood still and quiet, with businesses closed and visitors and locals alike asked to stay at home and away from others until things became better. 

“The easing of restrictions on town centre businesses has been a step in the right direction and the council has worked closely with the business associations and communities across Denbighshire to ensure the re-introduction of services has been as smooth as possible.

“The signage is one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced in town centres.  

"Teams of staff from the council have also been working in town centres, liaising with businesses and listening to their feedback.  

"They have also been able to identify what works well and whether there were any localised issued that needed addressing.

“The messages around social distancing are equally as relevant as they were at the beginning of our work and we would like to thank the communities of Denbighshire for supporting this essential work."

Olympic Triathlon heroes in action

* Christian Edwards, son of Llangollen man 

Mike Edwards, in the Olympic Distance Triathlon.

Llangollen man Mike Edwards was in Ellesmere on Sunday watching his eldest son, Christian, competing in the Olympic Distance Triathlon comprising a 1500 metre swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run. 

Mike says: "While I was there I also saw our local vet Clive Bourne, who is in the veteran athlete 60 age group, taking part and I notice from the result he completed the event in 2 hours 48 minutes 17 seconds."

Corwen station project hailed as "magnificent achievement"

* Robin Jones is shown progress on the station project by Richard Dixon-Gough. 

Robin Jones, editor of the monthly Heritage Railway magazine, called in at the Corwen station site to catch up with the progress on work to create a new terminus station.

In the course of a conducted tour of the site, he inspected work on the platform with the recently installed heritage canopy columns, as well as the completed trackwork.

The water tank and signalbox were also features new to him since his previous visit.

He expressed himself very pleased with the work undertaken so far, describing the station as ‘magnificent’ and the renovation of the former London Blackfriars station columns an impressive addition to the platform.

Robin Jones said: “Whilst other railways might have made do with a wooden platform at the end of the line, at Corwen a proper station facility has been created by project members.

“I think the Corwen station is a miraculous achievement and a phenomenal construction in the middle of nowhere.The volunteer effort which has created the station has been against the odds in terms of physical constraints, the labour needs and the ever-present fund-raising requirement.” 

Thanking Robin Jones for his visit, project leader Richard Dixon-Gough said: “We still have some way to go yet before the station is ready and able to receive passengers, therefore all kinds of support are still required prior to opening this new build terminus station to the fare paying public.”

Superb Skoda saloon could be best in its class

* Superb's smart front end.

* New high-tech dash.

* Acres of room in the back.

Skoda Superb road test by Steve Rogers

Bentley one week, Skoda the next. Such is the varied life of your car tester.

Turn the clock back 25 years and you could fairly say this was the sublime to the ridiculous but while the brands are poles apart times have changed for the underdog. 

Volkswagen buying the Czech company opened up a whole new world. I've been a fan since my first drive in the Octavia in 1997 and have been banging the Skoda drum ever since.

The cars are still built in the home country but the parts come from Wolfsburg so it is no surprise to see matching gear in Volkswagen, Audi or Seat models, in fact there is a small connection with Bentley.

The blind spot warning strip in the Superb's door mirrors is identical to those in the Bentley Continental, another VW company.

The Superb has been the flagship model since 2001 building a reputation on a ginormous cabin. Never mind six footers, there is space for seven footers in the back of a Superb and no one in its class can match the size of the boot either.

Not that Superb has been having an easy ride. Its market has been in decline for years with customers turning to big SUVs for space and versatility and Skoda is well placed there as well with the excellent Kodiaq.

Yet Superb's unique selling point of class leading space and value for money has given it a strong fan base in the fleet and company car markets where it has been a regular pain in the backside for main rivals Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia and even its Wolfsburg cousin, the VW Passat. What a genius move on Skoda's part to distance itself from Passat by making it roomier.

The hatchback's 625 litre boot capacity is streets ahead of the opposition and gets even better with the seats down - 1760 litres and if that's not enough then go for the estate where there is nearly 2000 litres of space. You will find just how big the boot is when you try to retrieve something that has spilled into a far corner. It requires long arms or a very big stretch.

To give it a bit of context the hatchback's boot easily swallowed two full sets of golf clubs and trolleys with the seats up.

Dwelling on space is an injustice to Superb which is a fine all rounder. The new dashboard layout is practical rather than stylish with a central eight inch touchscreen for infotainment - that's navigation, radio and smartlink technology for Android, CarPlay and Mirror Link along with other car related features.

This comes in at SE L level which is the start of the premium trim and there is the option to spend £475 on the virtual cockpit. It offers five different views, easily selected from a button on the steering wheel. The show's highlight is a full width 10.2in Google map gifted, eventually, by its masters at VW-Audi. Skoda always has to wait its turn for the top tech.

Equipment level is generally good with leather heated seats, powered for the driver, LED headlights, keyless entry, and a host of electronic safety features yet there is one inexplicable omission - a reversing camera.

It is a £385 option unless you buy the 39 grand top of the range Laurin & Klement model and with the saloon's high rear window it's needed. Parking sensors with rear proximity lines on screen don't cut it on a car at this price.

A couple of weeks ago I was lauding the 1.5 litre petrol engine in the new Golf but raised an eyebrow when I saw it was powering the much bigger Superb. Again it was another revelation and would be my choice over a diesel easily topping 50mpg. 

With the extra weight and size the economy and performance was even more spectacular than the Golf, so sharp and refined, and working beautifully with the seven-speed DSG auto gearbox. It too has cylinder deactivation right up to 70mph to help save fuel.

Handling is safe and predictable and airs on the side of comfort. For performance seekers this is no BMW 3-Series or Audi A4, not even a Peugeot 508 or Mazda6, but if you want to stick with Skoda and have some fun then go for Octavia.

Superb is what it is, a comfortable, very competent large family saloon or estate and arguably the best car in its class.

Need to know

Superb SE L 7sp DSG auto

£29,545 - £31,570 tested

1.5litre TSI; 147bhp

0-62mph 9.2secs; 135mph

42.2mpg combined

153g/km. 1st year tax £540 then £145

Boot: 625 litres

Insurance group 19

 

 

 

 

Local roadworks alert

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is: 

Butlers Hill, Llangollen, Denbighshire

10 September — 10 September

 

Delays likely - Road closure

 

Works location: FROM OUTSIDE MIN Y NANT TO OUTSIDE PEN Y MAES...

 

Works description: REPLACEMENT OF CABLES . OVERHEAD WORKS ONLY...

 

Responsibility for works: MANWEB

 

Current status: Advanced planning

 

Works reference: GY0302100388892G

 

 

Denbighshire libraries re-open for appointment visits

 

* Llangollen Library in Castle Street.

Libraries in Denbighshire are now open for customers to choose books, use a computer and print, use a photocopier and access One Stop Shop services via appointments.

The appointment system will help ensure social distancing measures are adhered to and appointments can be made by phoning your local library.

Visits to browse and choose books are limited to 20 minutes, and computer sessions are currently limited to 45 minutes, and one per week.

You will need your library card number to book a computer session.

If you require help at the One Stop Shop with a Council query or to make a payment, please call the library and ensure you have all the relevant details, so that we can deal with your query, and arrange an appointment if you need to come in.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I’m pleased we are able to offer further services to residents wishing to use the library service.

“Customers will now be able to book appointments to use a range of services in their local libraries. Our popular order and collect service will continue for those who prefer staff to choose books for you to collect or have delivered to you.

“Our home library service is making deliveries of books to anyone who is unable to visit their local library – please get in touch to find out more about this service.”

All books currently on loan are being automatically renewed and no fines will be issued, but customers who have finished with books are asked to drop them off at the library to ensure stock levels are maintained.