Cooke & Arkwright and Cardiff Blues seal partnership

Commercial property specialists recognised as official supplier to Cardiff Blues

22 September 2015

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The partnership marks a ten-year relationship which has seen the club save more than £500,000. Cooke & Arkwright provides a number of high profile sporting venues with consultancy and advice, and has been working with the Cardiff Blues for more than a decade, saving the club approximately £570,000 in business rates alone.

The 'official supplier' status was finalised this month and benefits include the firm featuring on the Cardiff Blues website and match day hospitality.

Andrew West, Partner and Director at Cooke & Arkwright said, " We are delighted to be able to continue our strong working relationship with the Cardiff Blues by becoming an official supplier. To remain at the forefront of professional rugby in Wales takes considerable investment and we have worked with the club over a number of years to help them save money on their rates at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, and at their training centre at the Vale Resort in Hensol."

Peter Ghattas, Finance Director at Cardiff Blues said, "As a commercial organisation, it's very important for us to make every penny count and the money that we've saved on business rates gets ploughed back into the region. We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Cooke & Arkwright as their advice and assistance has directly contributed to the region's continuing success."

Cooke & Arkwright have also advised the SSE SWALEC, the Cardiff City Stadium, the Parc Y Scarlets, and also the Millennium Stadium, where the firm is delivery rates savings of almost £3.5m between 2005 and 2017.

Mansford has expanded its investment portfolio over the last few years. Over this time Andrew West has provided us with a full rating valuation service which has involved giving a view on liabilities prior to acquisitions, as well as conducting negotiations with Valuation Officers on our UK estate. The portfolio includes a wide range of properties from shops, offices and pubs to major leisure schemes. He has been particularly successful in mitigating our liabilities to empty property rate, which has been an issue on acquisition prior to implementing our development and letting strategy. I have no hesitation in recommending Andrew's expertise in rating valuation for all property types. The profile of property within his portfolio and the successes achieved are testament to his position as an extremely accomplished rating practitioner.

Leopold Hall, Partner, Mansford LLP