Phonics and Sir Tom support flood-fund shows
WELSH music superstars Sterophonics and Sir Tom Jones are the latest big names to pledge their support to the Valley Aid flood fundraising shows.
Sir Tom, from Treforest, is offering up an attractive prize package as part of a rock auction to raise money for flood-hit communities.
The Voice judge is offering a set of four tickets to one of his summer shows of the winner’s choice, a meet and greet with the singer before the show, and tour merchandise.
Meanwhile the Sterephonics, from Cwmaman, will hold a bucket collection at both of their shows at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.
The collection will be added to the cash raised from the Valley Aid shows, to benefit flood-hit communities in south Wales.
Gigs at the Pop Factory in Porth are spread over three nights.
The first, on Friday, March 13, will feature leading Welsh-language artists raising funds for the much-loved Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd town centre. The line-up features Bryn Fôn, Elin Fflur, Huw Chiswell, Al Lewis, Mei Gwynedd, Catsgam, Lloyd Macey and Eden.
On Saturday, March 14, a concert titled Valley Aid will feature some of the biggest names in Welsh music. All money raised will support communities affected in RCT. The lineup features James Dean Bradfield, Mike Peters, Charlotte Church, Amy Wadge and Andy Fairweather Low.
A third gig on Sunday, March 15, curated by the Valleys-based Young Promoters Network, will feature a number of rising stars and a very special headliner, who will be announced shortly.
EMERGENCY funding of £2.5m from the Welsh Government is being made available to support businesses severely impacted by floods in south Wales.
Impacted firms, specifically SMEs, will be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 each.
It comes on top of a £10m support package recently announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford.
The fund will be administered the Welsh Government’s business support body, Business Wales and will support businesses with the immediate costs of recovery not covered by insurance, and to help meet the cost of renting alternative space and retaining staff.
The £2.5m is in addition to support the Welsh Government will provide for local authorities to meet the costs of discretionary business rates relief due to flooding for up to three months where a number of business premises are affected in a concentrated location.
Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “Communities and business have suffered devastating and unprecedented effects from recent storms and subsequent flooding. I have seen, first hand, the great community response to help people in need as well as the work of volunteers.
“The Welsh Government is announcing up to £2.5m to support businesses, specifically SMEs, who have felt the full force of the floods. Each impacted business will be able to apply for up to £2,500 each to help get up and running again.
“This will be in addition to meeting Local Authorities’ eligible costs for the use of discretionary rates relief due to flooding.
“As a government, we continue to work closely with councils to get a clear picture of the scale of the damage. This will determine how much additional funding is needed and what financial support we would look for the UK Government to provide.”
Responding to the funding announcement FSB Wales policy chair, Ben Francis, said: “This will not only act as significant financial support for businesses, but will help raise morale and boost confidence for those businesses that are currently trying to get back on their feet and get their doors open again. We now know that the flooding has had a serious impact on businesses, with some expecting to be closed for several months.
“Smaller firms are often at the heart of their communities, and when they are forced to close this can have a significant impact on the local area and economy. Therefore, we would encourage people to look out for businesses reopening in the coming weeks and months, and to support them with their custom wherever possible.
“In the short term, we’d like to see more detail from Welsh Government on how firms can access this funding, to ensure that it can be distributed as quickly as possible and begin to have an impact on flood-affected firms.
“However, in the longer term, it is clear that a conversation about Wales’ resilience and flood infrastructure is necessary.
“We must also take into account the readiness of businesses to deal with such a crisis, and how they can be supported to implement planning structures in the future.”
Further details on how to apply for the fund will be made available in the coming days through the Business Wales website and businesses can also contact the Business Wales helpline on 0300 060 3000.