Llangollen Health Centre has just posted its latest Covid vaccination update, which says: "We are now in a position to be able to book in the remaining patients in the 65-69 age group for their Covid vaccine.
"At this point PLEASE do not phone us as our phone lines will be swamped. We will contact you by phone over the next two days to book your appointment."
Llangollen Town Council has pledged to do all it can to support Llangollen Railway which has announced plans to call in receivers.
As revealed by llanblogger,
the railway said in a statement that the company which runs the heritage
attraction had run up big losses over the past three financial years with the
result that it was now insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not
legally continue trading.
In its own statement this
afternoon the town council says: “We are saddened to hear of the difficulties
being faced by the Llangollen heritage railway.
“The potential loss of such a
valued company would be tragic - a heritage railway which has been restored and
run by the endeavours of so many volunteers.
“For years,
the railway, as well as being a treasured tourism attraction has provided
valuable employment through its engineering works and has also had a positive
effect on the careers of local youngsters who have benefited from their
apprenticeship scheme.
“The council
itself has limited funds to be able to offer any direct assistance but will do
whatever it can to ensure prosperity of the railway in the future and wishes
the new board of directors well in their endeavours to secure a future for the
railway.”
The Town
Mayor, Councillor Austin Cheminais, commenting on the news said “Llangollen’s
Heritage Railway has been 45 Years in the making and is a major tourist
attraction and great asset to the town.
“Its loss
would be a major blow to all of those employed by the railway and also to the
wider local economy.
“As a council we will do all we can to support the trustees and board as they find a way forward.”
As there didn't appear to have been any advance notification, people in Llangollen were left wondering about the reason for roadworks which have led to the closure of Bridge Street for three days this week.
Although the closure notice at the Bridge Street/Castle Street junction says the closure will be for five days, a spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “Bridge Street, Llangollen, is being closed by the council’s Traffic Section between March 1 and March 3 to facilitate the installation of electrical connections to new sign posts. A diversion has been put in place during the closure.”
* The closure notice on the Bridge Street/Castle Street junction.
The Welsh Government has launched a new campaign to promote the support available to businesses to help them deal with the continued pressures of coronavirus.
The ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign will encourage firms the length and breadth of Wales to take advantage of the skills and employment advice and guidance that is on offer through the Skills Gateway for Business online portal.
A range of support is available such as assistance with developing the capabilities of staff to advice with recruitment and training programmes. This will help businesses move forward through the coronavirus pandemic and thrive in the future.
Economy Minister Ken Skates (pictured) said: "We’re in Your Corner’ campaign is crucial in supporting the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission which was launched earlier this week and aims to reconstruct and rebuild the Welsh economy so that is more prosperous, fair and green than ever before.
"The Welsh Government’s Covid Commitment, which has been
supported by a £40m funding boost during this financial year, is a key part of
the support offer to help anyone wanting to get into work, looking to retrain,
or start their own business."
He added: "The past 12 months have placed incredibly pressures on our people and our businesses. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Welsh Government has responded at pace to protect thousands of Welsh businesses and jobs with a package of financial assistance worth more than £2 billion. This is the most generous offer of help anywhere in the UK.
“We are firmly in the corner of
businesses and this campaign will be crucial in ensuring they are aware of the
support that is available to help them meet the challenges and opportunities
that today and tomorrow present.
“Our Covid Commitment will also
provide free and subsidised training which will enable firms to develop the
skills of the workforce and our Business Wales advisers are on hand to provide
expert advice on this to meet individual business needs.
“As we continue to navigate these
difficult and uncertain times, we will continue to do all we can to back our
businesses and our people, but we also have to think about what comes next.
That is why I have launched our new Economic Resilience and Reconstruction
Mission which offers optimism for the future and will help our people,
businesses and communities to succeed and flourish in a more prosperous, fairer
and greener economy.
“By working together, we can truly succeed in rebuilding and reconstructing our economy so that is it better and stronger for people across Wales.”
* To find out more about the programmes on offer, call Skills Gateway for Business on 0300 060 3000 or visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/
* Simon Baynes MP speaking in the Chamber of the House of Commons.
Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has spoken of his admiration and gratitude for key workers, Welsh businesses and Wales’ importance as part of the United Kingdom.
His praise came during the annual St David's Day debate in Parliament last week.
The debate, which is held each year in the House of Commons on, or around, St David’s Day, took place last Thursday and usually deals with general Welsh affairs.
Mr Baynes began his speech by saying: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the frontline workers in Clwyd South and elsewhere in Wales, including our NHS and emergency service staff, carers, community volunteers, council staff and retail staff, who have done so much to keep us safe during this pandemic."
He continued by offering his sympathies to businesses impacted by Covid and the need for the Welsh Labour Government to make sure its business support package is improved.
He said: "Having grown up in a family hotel business in Wales and now acting as the Conservatives’ Small Business Ambassador for Wales, I speak to many Welsh companies that are struggling in the Covid crisis, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and tourism.
"A common theme to their comments is the disorganised nature of the roll-out of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund, with many people unable to apply due to the IT system crashing, unclear guidelines on information required, and the application period closing in only a matter of hours without any prior warning.
“Some degree of
administrative difficulty is understandable in the current crisis, but
businesses feel extremely aggrieved when they hear that the Labour Welsh
Government have still yet to spend £650 million of the money that they have
received from the UK Government, which could be used to put right the problems
caused by short-changing Welsh businesses in business support.”
Commenting later on, Mr Baynes said: "I was very pleased to make a contribution last week to the annual St David's Day debate in Parliament, having made my Maiden Speech in the same debate last year.
"It’s vital that we continue our progress with the very successful UK vaccination programme to ensure that next year we can mark St David's Day in a more normal way and celebrate all things Welsh together. Until then, I want to wish everyone in Clwyd South and across Wales a very Happy St David's Day!"
Llangollen Health Centre has this afternoon issued its latest vaccination update on Facebook.
Its post says:
"Vaccine Update – Group 6
Llangollen Railway has this afternoon (Monday) issued a formal announcement about its future.
It reads: "It is with great regret the directors of Llangollen Railway PLC have had to take the reluctant step of inviting the bank to appoint a receiver.
"The company’s accounts show pre-tax losses of £330,601 in 2018, £329,175 in 2019 and £258,804 in 2020 (pre-audit).
"A number of significant engineering contract disputes, all of which arose in the years prior to the current board taking over in October 2020, have crystallised in the last few days.
"The claims against the company are compelling and are in excess of £250,000 in total. There is no prospect of meeting these liabilities, even over an extended period.
"As a result the balance sheet is now insolvent to the extent of £350,000 approximately, adjusting for intangible assets also. In such circumstances the company cannot legally continue to trade.
"The directors would like to acknowledge the considerable support of the Welsh Government through two significant grants, and NatWest Bank which, together with furlough payments, have enabled the company to continue to meet its commitments over recent months until now.
"The Trust’s balance sheet remains solvent and there is some cash in hand. The Trust board will need to take steps to negotiate with the receiver to try to secure the line and preserve rolling stock and infrastructure to the extent possible. It is intended to recommence operations in due course but this is dependent upon legal and regulatory approvals, including licencing, all of which will clearly take time.
"Customers who have purchased tickets in advance, including driver experiences, deposits for weddings and gift vouchers, will either be refunded (the monies have been reserved) or will hopefully be able to travel at a future date.
"Where shareholders have ongoing annual ticket entitlements, these will continue to be met through the Trust.
"Anyone wishing to make a claim in the receivership should contact the Railway by e-mail at commercial@llangollen-railway.co.uk and details will be passed to the receiver. Anyone wishing to contact the Trust, please do so at the above e-mail address also."
Comments ...
Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes commented: “I have developed a strong relationship with the Llangollen Railway since becoming the MP for Clwyd South and have held regular meetings and made several visits to different parts of their network.
"I am very sorry that they have had to invite their bank to appoint a receiver but the combination of Covid and past engineering contract disputes has put an intolerable burden on the Railway.
"I hope, however, that a way forward is found for the Llangollen Railway so that it can emerge from this crisis with a sustainable long term future and continue to provide great pleasure to the many thousands of visitors to Llangollen in the years to come.”
Llangollen town councillor Stuart Davies said: "I am deeply saddened to hear the news today about Llangollen Railway going in to administration.
"I am calling on the County the local MS and Welsh Govt to step in
to help save this valuable tourist attraction and employer for Llangollen. Not
only is it a superb asset to the town it is traditionally one of its bigger
employers.
"Historically its apprentice scheme was one of the best, teaching
young people to be skilled maintenance people and engineers. I have always been
a champion of apprentice schemes having had the good fortune to be able to go
through one with the National Coal Board in the 60s.
"Recently Llangollen Town Council was pursuing a £160k project that
would have brought no employment to Llangollen. We need Welsh Government and
Lottery funding to save jobs and the Railway which is part of what Llangollen
is today."
Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's North Wales MS, said: "This is a sorry day for the railway but also for Llangollen and Corwen.
"This has been a terrible year for the tourist trade, effectively facing three winter seasons consecutively, and I hope that the railway, its staff and volunteers can bounce back quickly. It has been a major attraction in the area for many years and has been an important employer in the town.
"It's vital that businesses, particular in the hospitality
and tourism sector, get the support they need to overcome the battering they've
had in the past year. I'll do all I can as the regional Member of Senedd to
make the case for the railway."
Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said: "This is very sad news for all involved. However, the infrastructure will remain in place and I am confident that this will not be the end for the railway."
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood commented: "This is dreadful and concerning news about a wonderful heritage railway.
“The loss of this railway would not only be devastating for the army of volunteers who support it and the railway’s employees, but also for the wider visitor economy in Llangollen and throughout the Dee Valley.
“I have offered to assist the Railway in any way I can.”
