PTorfaen Leading clothing and accessories retailer Character.com has opened a store at M Cwmbran. Character.com, known for its extensive range of character-branded products, from childrenswear and adult clothing to homeware, toys, and games, has signed a five-year lease on a 5,196 sq ft unit at the shopping centre. The new store, located in Unit 9, The Mall, marks the brand’s fifth location. In 2024 M Cwmbran welcomed 16 new tenants, including major names such as Dunelm, The Range, and Cards Direct. The centre also saw a 7.36% increase in footfall year-on-year, with 22.2 million visitors passing through its doors in 2024. Adam Martin, Director – Head of Bristol at LCP, part of M Core, said: “It has been a fantastic year of growth for M Cwmbran, and we are thrilled to carry this momentum into 2025 with the arrival of Character.com. Work is already underway on the new unit, and we look forward to welcoming customers to the store later this spring.” Karen Hewitt, Co-Founder & Chief of Licensing & Retail, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our doors in Cwmbran. Character.com has always been about bringing fun, family-friendly fashion to life, and this new store is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our customers in person. We can’t wait to welcome everyone in and create a space that’s just as vibrant and joyful as the characters we all love.” Neil Harrison, Senior Legal Counsel (UK), completed this transaction on behalf of the landlord. and highly targeted distribution networks offers our clients a proven strategically connected one-stop-shop solution for all regions and business sectors in Wales and beyond Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) has moved to reassure customers and employees following the shock news that it plans to close its flagship plant in South Wales The MCC Cwmbran site was originally set up by Spear Europe before industry consolidation saw it become part of Constantia Flexibles One label industry expert described Cwmbran as “the largest label producing site in the UK and also the best MCC site in the UK In a statement US-headquartered MCC told Printweek the closure plans were part of a “business streamlining” designed to improve overall efficiency in MCC’s EMEA operations network.  “There is no immediate change for our staff or to MCC Cwmbran customers This proposal is subject to review and discussion through a collective consultation process This process is expected to take several months and no decisions will be made until the end of that process,” the group said “Our MCC business remains vibrant and strong The proposal to close Cwmbran is intended to rebalance UK production based on current demands and capacity across our UK plant network.   “Our highest priority is to our customers and our MCC teammates We are working closely with all Cwmbran customers and teammates to discuss all options which potentially may eventually include production transfers and some job redundancies We are committed to ensuring an outcome that minimises impacts on all our stakeholders in Cwmbran.” Unite regional officer Richard Jackson reacted with dismay to the news and said: “It is highly disappointing that a financially viable factory is being closed and jobs moved overseas.  “Unite will do everything it can to oppose this closure and help our members through this difficult time.” MCC has not confirmed the current number of employees at the site Cwmbran runs conventional and digital label printing kit and is home to a Cerutti 960/2 wide web gravure label press and two HP Indigo digital label presses among other equipment The closure is not believed to be Brexit-related with MCC directors previously stating that following the Brexit vote “the company has adapted well to the new rules to the extent that it has not proved detrimental to our business.” Multi-Color Cwmbran Ltd posted a 21% slump in sales to €59.4m (£49.7m) and an operating loss of €895k compared to an operating profit of €2.5m the prior year Most of the firm’s output of pressure sensitive labels for the beverage market was bound for Europe at that time although European sales of €34.7m were also down by more than €13.5m year-on-year Label industry adviser and consultant Will Parker told Printweek: “In beverage during 2024 we saw a significant shift in the alcohol consumption in the EU and UK Sales not only dropped significantly due to habits changing but also they shifted notably in December where we saw non-alcoholic drinks really challenging and in some sectors overtaking traditional alcohol sales “If you then add in the rising costs in the UK employment around National Insurance and compound that with the expected Employment Rights bill impact it really does start to make it harder to support a business case where the returns are diminishing vs manufacturing in other countries where the platform will generate a greater return.” He added: “Labels has always been an excellent innovator and an agile industry but that does not make it immune to pain.” Last September $3bn (£2.4bn) turnover MCC announced the launch of $950m in senior secured loan notes It plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to finance the redemption of all of its outstanding senior secured notes due in 2026; repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its senior secured asset-based loan facility; and pay related premiums Printweek welcomes informed debate, but please read our House Rules before posting Printweek is the premier website for the print industry Cwmbran Celtic confirmed their JD Cymru South survival with a 1-0 home win over Llantwit Major on the final day of the season Celtic’s all-important goal came after just 14 minutes as Mario van Dieren headed home from Ollie Berry’s corner.  Andrew Larcombe had the chance to double his side’s advantage from the penalty spot after a foul in the box by Jack Lansdown but the Major goalkeeper – making his final career appearance – made amends by keeping out the Celtic captain’s effort.  Celtic’s win meant that Penrhiwceiber Rangers were relegated following their chaotic 5-5 draw against Carmarthen Town at the LHP Stadium.  Rangers took the lead inside eight minutes through Jack Thomas but Gavin Jones equalised for Carmarthen four minutes later before Old Gold captain Noah Daley scored twice in the space of five minutes to complete a rapid turnaround.  The visitors were not ready to give up though as Owen Orford pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 just before the half hour mark then Thomas grabbed his second of the afternoon to equalise five minutes into the second half.  Carmarthen restored their advantage on 67 minutes through Liam Thomas but Rangers remarkably scored twice in two minutes – Thomas completing his hat-trick before Morgan Andrews found the net – to lead 5-4.  it was not enough to keep Rangers up though and they conceded in the 89thminute as substitute Sean Richards volleyed home his first senior goal for Carmarthen.  Champions Llanelli Town concluded their season with a 3-0 home win over Trefelin Theo Wharton’s powerful header gave the Reds the lead in the 37th minute before Trefelin forward Lee Trundle was shown a straight red card in first half stoppage time.  Llanelli did not add to their tally until the 89th minute when Kurtis Rees found the net for the first time this season before the division’s golden boot winner Liam Eason netted his 27th goal of the season in stoppage time.  Trethomas Bluebirds sealed second place in an impressive first season in the JD Cymru South as they triumphed 4-0 at home over Pontypridd United Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford announced earlier in the week that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign and it was clear that his team were keen to see him off with a win as they led by three goals at half-time.  Jack Jones opened the scoring with a powerful header from Ethan Edwards’ cross Harvey Selway volleyed home to double the lead five minutes later before Callum Huggins added his name to the scoresheet shortly before half-time.  Edwards had assisted all three first half goals and found the net himself 10 minutes after the break as he raced through on goal and calmly slotted past Cameron Clarke to seal the Bluebirds’ biggest win of the season.  Newport City won 3-0 away at relegated Goytre United to end the season with seven consecutive victories and seal an impressive third-place finish.  Lathan Garrett headed in from Richard Noyes’ cross to earn the lead in the 26th minute while Kofi Rowe doubled the advantage 13 minutes later by applying a neat first-time finish from Harvey Sing’s low cross.  Rowe netted his second of the afternoon seven minutes into the second afternoon tucking away the rebound after Luke Jones had saved Luke Cooper’s initial effort.  Afan Lido made it four wins from their final six games of the season as they triumphed 3-1 away at bottom-of-the-table Taffs Well.  It was a frantic start at Rhiw Dda’r as Goncalo Ferreira opened the scoring for the Wellmen inside the first minute only for his strike to be cancelled out by Liam Griffiths’ close range finish six minutes later.  Griffiths completed the turnaround on 25 minutes when he nodded home from Ioan Evans’ pinpoint cross before Dylan Williams sent a ferocious half volley into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.  Victory meant that Lido finish in 11th place as they leapfrogged Caerau Ely who were beaten 2-0 at home by Cambrian United.  The game was goalless for over an hour until Tim Parker found the breakthrough in the 69th minute before the forward sealed the win – and with it a sixth-place finish for Cambrian – with his second goal in stoppage.  Nic Arnold scored a stoppage time equaliser for Ammanford in a 1-1 draw with Baglan Dragons at the Recreation Ground.  Connah Troy’s towering header put the Dragons ahead shortly after the hour mark but Arnold popped up in the 96th minute to fire home from close range after Babucar Sauane’s header was blocked on the line  Ammanford 1-1 Baglan DragonsCaerau Ely 0-2 Cambrian UnitedCarmarthen Town 5-5 Penrhiwceiber RangersCwmbran Celtic 1-0 Llantwit MajorGoytre United 0-3 Newport CityLlanelli Town 3-0 TrefelinTaffs Well 1-3 Afan LidoTrethomas Bluebirds 4-0 Pontypridd United Take a look at all of the photos from a ten-goal thriller at Richmond Park Flick through all the photos as Cwmbran Celtic secure their survival Flick through all the images of the Reds’ win and their title celebrations at Stebo JD Cymru Premier European Play-Off semi-final confirmed JD Cymru Leagues April Player and Manager of the Month shortlist JD Cymru Premier round-up | Caernarfon Town and Cardiff Met secure play-off semi-final spots Airbus win Welsh Blood Service League Cup with thrilling win over Trefelin The New Saints crowned JD Cymru Premier champions JD Cymru Premier format confirmed for 2026/27 Close ModalLearn more from FA WalesSign up to receive all things FAW We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here © 2025 The Football Association of Wales * We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here Print employment in Wales has been dealt another blow with news that Multi-Color Corporation plans to close its loss-making site in Cwmbran The acquisitive US-headquartered labels giant is known as MCC Its Cwmbran site prints pressure-sensitive labels for the beverage industry The BBC reported that MCC EMEA president Frederic Noel told staff in an email that the site was no longer viable, and work would be moved to other plants in Eastern Europe Most of the firm’s output was bound for Europe at that time although European sales of €34.7m were down by more than €13.5m year-on-year UK sales nudged up at €21.4m (2022: £20.8m) It became part of MCC in 2017 after the group acquired Constantia Flexibles’ labels wing in a £1bn deal MCC had not responded to Printweek’s requests for comment at the time of writing Multi-Color Corporation has global sales of around $3bn and has production sites in 29 countries Last year South Wales lost a number of other print firms with the closures of DecTek, Big Bang Print and Lexon Group MP Nick Thomas – Symonds was joined by members of the community to officially open the new accessibility facilities at Cwmbran station This will provide step free access between the platforms for the first time and make it much easier for passengers with limited mobility or pushchairs to navigate through the station Torfaen MP Nick Thomas – Symonds was joined by Rachel Heath Wales and Borders Operations Director for Network Rail to officially open the new accessibility facilities Also in attendance were members of the community  and regular users of the station The work here was completed as part of the Access for All programme launched in 2006 to address the challenges faced by disabled passengers and those with mobility issues Cwmbran was selected for the programme along with Ludlow (which recently opened earlier in February) It will reduce car travel therefore lowering traffic and carbon emissions Network Rail Wales and Borders operations director said: “We’re truly excited to unveil the new facilities at Cwmbran.” “It’s important to us that we make the railway as accessible as possible we can encourage even more people to choose the railway as their preferred way to travel sustainably Enhancing the ease and accessibility of our stations is key to achieving this vision!” “We can’t wait to open the new facilities at Flint Nick Thomas-Symonds MP for Torfaen said: “It is vital that Cwmbran station is fully accessible to ensure everyone feels comfortable using the train to travel around the country I’m delighted to see this investment in Cwmbran and that the new lifts and footbridge are now operational I’m sure residents across Cwmbran will welcome this upgrade to their local train station.” Accessibility and Inclusion Manager at Transport for Wales said: “We welcome this significant investment by Department for Transport to bring step-free access to Cwmbran station for the first time “It’s great news for our customers and another important milestone in making the Wales and Borders network accessible for everyone.” to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years