Cooke & Arkwright
News
Countrywide expansion
21/06/07
Countrywide Property Lawyers (CPL), part of the Countrywide plc group and the largest residential conveyancer in the UK, has doubled its presence in Cardiff and taken the entire 14,000 sq ft on the 11th floor at Brunel House in Fitzalan Road, Cardiff. The company is expanding and strengthening its conveyancing teams to accommodate market growth and a growing volume of instructions. Having previously occupied part of the 8th floor, the move sees the number of employees at the Cardiff centre increasing from 80 (FTE) in January 2006, to 122 in May 2007.
New 103 bed hotel for Newport
31/05/07
Pedersen Hotels has acquired a three-quarter acre site in Newport from Euro Commercials (South Wales) Limited, where it is to build a 103 bed ETAP budget hotel. Demolition of the original 8,500 sq ft building in Malpas Road, which was disposed of in a deal negotiated by Cooke & Arkwright, has already been completed and the site is being cleared for the construction of the hotel along with 107 car parking spaces.
Empty property rates shock, by Andrew West, Director Cooke & Arkwright
31/05/07
The Chancellor’s completely unexpected announcement in the last Budget to remove rate relief on empty commercial premises has rung alarm bells throughout the property industry. Unless the Welsh Assembly Government decides it shouldn’t apply in Wales, under his proposals it will be abolished from 1st April 2008. The Rating (Empty Properties) Bill has already received its first reading and is scheduled for a second reading in the House of Commons in June.
Monmouthshire farm sold for almost £1m at auction
31/05/07
It is rare these days for a farm with its own land to be offered for sale in the sought after county of Monmouthshire, so the arrival of Cefn Ila Farm on the market attracted a good deal of attention.
New Industrial Agency surveyor for Cardiff
31/05/07
Cooke & Arkwright has appointed a new surveyor to join its Industrial Agency in Cardiff. John Rhys Jones will assist the agency specialising in the disposal and acquisition of industrial property on behalf of retained clients throughout South and West Wales.
Penthouse office sold
30/05/07
Mansford Holdings has sold the designer penthouse office suite in its award winning retail and residential development at the Brewery Quarter in Cardiff to independent financial advisors, Ingram Graham. The 1,500 sq ft suite, which was the showpiece for the development, is located on the second floor and has its own balcony overlooking St Mary Street and Wood Street, with views towards the Millennium Stadium.
Castle views for wedding belles
08/03/07
The Cardiff branch of Pronuptia has relocated to a prominent city centre location directly opposite Cardiff Castle. The 2,000 sq ft store includes a 1,500 sq ft showroom on the first floor and unveils a completely new look and style as well as offering a new, fully personalised service. The layout was designed by Pronuptia UK chairman Jim Mumford and is the first in the UK to incorporate Pronuptia’s new French concept.
Air-aid
08/03/07
Wales Air Ambulance has opened a new charitable shop in Abergavenny acquired by Cooke & Arkwright, as part of its strategic network expansion in support of the service. Rugby legend, Gareth Edwards CBE, performed the official opening and said he was happy to help. “Wales Air Ambulance is a critical and necessary facility that we are fortunate to have. It can make the difference between life and death,” he said.
North Wales Business Park Acquired
18/10/06
Ashtenne Industrial Fund has acquired units 20-28 at St Asaph Business Park in north Wales. First developed by the Welsh Development Agency in 2001, the site totals 110 acres and is widely recognised as the premier business park in north Wales.