Local and regional operators provide hope to high street

20 April 2021
  • Ben Davies, Retail & Leisure Cooke & Arkwright

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The retail, leisure and hospitality sectors in Wales have faced some of the most challenging business conditions during the last 12 months, with the Covid pandemic, the changing profile of the high streets and the growth in online shopping.

Our Retail & Leisure team has worked hard throughout this period, securing multiple lettings, sales and acquisitions for clients, and was named Most Active Retail Agent in Wales 2020 by Estates Gazette for the second year running.

Ben Davies, Associate gives us his view on how the retail and leisure sector in Wales has fared:

“National retailer and restaurant demand fell away during 2020, partly due to the pandemic. Against this background, we actually witnessed growing interest from local and regional occupiers, resulting in a variety of transactions taking place.

“A few examples include local independent craft brewery and bar, Brew Monster which took a ten year lease in a prime location in Cardiff Bay close to Mermaid Quay during the first lockdown. They were absolutely determined to weather the storm and have their eyes on future expansion.

“Another was Welsh independent coffee house, Bradleys Coffee, which opened its sixth café in south Wales at St Elli Shopping Centre, Llanelli in February this year. They also have plans for another location. We also secured a letting to Love Brownies, a Yorkshire franchise business, which opened its first café in Wales in Penarth just before Christmas.

“It’s encouraging to see that in the face of the uncertainty impacting all aspects of life over the past year, local and regional operators have been capitalising on opportunities and demonstrating confidence in bolstering their businesses in a challenging market.

“This trend of local and regional occupier interest has continued into 2021, which should give heart to many of our local high streets. I anticipate that this will continue as people adjust to a hybrid model of working between home and office.

“Also encouraging has been the evident and growing co-operation between landlords and tenants who are increasingly trying to understand each other’s concerns. This has led to a strengthening of relationships which is key as we navigate through the rest of another tough year.”

I have worked with Jeremy Symons over the past three years successfully leasing and buying property in support of my business. I continue to be very pleased with his knowledge of the market and expertise. Our relationship over this time has resulted in acquiring 20,000 sq ft at Capital Business Park in Cardiff, leasing 11,000 sq ft at Southpoint, and subsequently leasing an initial 42,000 sq ft at Parc Bedwas, followed by a succession of expansions of a further 11,000 and then 47,000 sq ft, enabling us to centralise all of our operations at Parc Bedwas in a single 100,000 sq ft facility. The acquisitions were completed at the perfect time for tenant purposes and the rent fixed throughout the term at very economical rates. A job well done.

Bob James, Aerfin